Budget: Coronavirus relief for SMEs and employees

UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak delivered a bold response to the coronavirus crisis in his 11 March budget, with a raft of measures to support SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) and their employees.

UK on-trade closures fall to lowest rate since 2018

Britain’s supply of restaurants, pubs, bars and other licensed premises fell by 1.8% in the 12 months to December 2019 - the lowest rate of year-on-year decline for nearly two years, according to the latest Growth Monitor from CGA and AlixPartners 

On-trade kickstarts 2020 on a positive note

The on-trade sector has started 2020 on a positive note with like-for-like sales up 1.9% in January compared to the same month last year, according to the latest figures from the Coffer Peach Business Tracker.

Pub decline halted as food drives growth

The Office of National Statistics (ONS) has released figures showing that the long decline in the number of pubs in the UK has stopped, with a “small rise” in 2019 buoying up the sector for the first time in decades.

UK pub numbers on the rise again

The number of British pubs has increased for the first time in a decade, analysis from hospitality sector software start-up Stampede has revealed.

Gastro pubs: The challenges and joys of getting a pub wine list right

With the vast majority of pubs in the UK part of a chain where buying decisions on everything from beer and wine to crisps and peanuts are sanctioned by the chain’s owners, it can be very hard for wine merchants and importers to get an in, especially on the ground rather than in a boardroom setting.

Modest growth for on-trade in July

Like-for-like sales for pubs and restaurants were up 1.2% year on year in July, according the the latest data from the Coffer Peach Business Tracker.

Wet-led businesses helping high street to recover from “poisonous cocktail” of regulatory costs

Renewed investor interest is improving the health of a malnourished high street – driven mostly by wet-led venues, a group of suppliers and industry leaders were told this morning.

Pubs and bars signal optimism as restaurant sector continues to suffer

The latest CGA Fourth Business Confidence Survey, canvassing opinion from hospitality industry leaders, has revealed concern over the frequency of consumer visits to pubs, bars and restaurants during the second half of 2019.

Zero growth for pubs and restaurants in May

UK pubs and restaurants saw trading fall flat in May, according to the latest Coffer Peach Business Tracker. Collective like-for-like sales growth across the market was zero compared to last year.

Consumers shun restaurants at Easter, figures show

Restaurant groups saw sales plummet by nearly 20% this Easter, according to figures from the Coffer Peach Business Tracker.

Restaurants continue to struggle as consumers tighten purse strings ahead of Brexit

The restaurant trade suffered another tough month in February with the mini heatwave towards the end of the month failing to move the whole market much, despite an encouraging performance from the pub trade.

Pubs and restaurants hit by January slump

Strong Christmas trading gave way to a slump in January for UK pubs and restaurants, according to the Coffer Peach Business Tracker.

Festive period provides cheer for on-trade

Managed pubs and restaurants saw a 4.1% collective like-for-like sales increase across the festive season compared to the same period the prevous year. 

Late summer spells trouble for restaurants

The restaurant trade suffered another tough month in September with sales dampened by the late summer, while the pub industry continued to bask in the sun.

Holiday season boosts eating-out market

Britain sees 3,000 licensed premise closures in a year

The number of licensed sites across Britain has dropped to 119,800 in the past year, with a total of 3,116 restaurants, pubs, bars and other licensed premises having been closed down.

Restaurants burned by the heatwave and World Cup

Restaurant groups suffered a drop in trade in June with pubs on the other hand basking in the sunshine as like-for-like sales rose.

End of the casual dining bubble?

Jo Gilbert explores the biggest challenges to the high street as we know it

No Christmas cheer for restaurant and pub groups

Restaurant and pub groups across the UK recorded a marginal decline in sales during the festive season, with drink-led businesses claiming the best of the festive trade.