18/05/2021
Brits 'to go on £800m spending spree' as 45,000 pubs finally open indoors
Around 45,000 boozers opened up for customers for the first time since December on Monday - sparking an £800 million spending spree, according to the The Mirror.
Pubs risk running short of beer as reopening accelerates
The Sunday Telegraph advise that fears over beer shortages are overshadowing the latest reopening of hospitality venues this week as brewers struggle to keep up with demand, a leading pub boss has warned. Patrick Dardis, the chief executive of Young's, said he has directly lobbied major brewers including Heineken and InBev to step up production after unexpected demand following the initial reopening of hospitality last month.
Former Greene King chief Rooney Anand eyes pubs deal
The Sunday Times report that the former boss of Greene King is said to be running the rule over a group of 700 pubs worth £200 million, as the leisure veteran makes his return to the sector. Rooney Anand, who led Greene King for 14 years until he stepped down in 2019, is understood to be among parties looking at Hawthorn Leisure, which is being offloaded by NewRiver, the FTSE 250 property group.
Grant Thornton fights back on Patisserie Valerie
Also in the Sunday Times, Grant Thornton has rejected responsibility for the collapse of Patisserie Valerie, arguing that the chain's directors were reckless and that it did not have a duty to detect fraud. The sixth-biggest audit firm is being sued by liquidators to the coffee-shop group, which went bust in 2019 amid an accounting scandal.
Grants of up to £25k available for Welsh pubs
The Morning Advertiser report that the Welsh Government has announced a fresh tranche of financial support for pubs and suppliers.
Boparan partners with Sainsbury's to launch trio of concepts
Boparan Restaurant Group (BRG) has partnered with Sainsbury's to trial three new concepts in its supermarkets, two of which will launch under the Carluccio's brand, according to Big Hospitality.
Enforced calorie-counting is no way to improve the nation's diet
More nutritional information is good in theory, but diners don't necessarily want it shoved down their throat, according to The Telegraph.
Signature Living recovery plan continues at pace
The founder of Signature Living Group expects to set a recovery plan with his company's administrators 'within weeks', as preparations for venue reopenings continue, according to Property Investor Today. Hotelier Lawrence Kenwright has been working closely with his creditors to regain control of the property side of the business which went into administration in April 2020, shortly after the coronavirus pandemic struck. The operational side of the business remains unaffected.
And Finally...
The Morning Advertiser has revealed that the husband-and-wife team behind the Raglan Arms in Llandenny, Monmouthshire, have opted to raffle off their fully-stocked pub as they retire from the industry. Tickets are £10 each!