30/08/2023 10:06:00
The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) is calling for an amendment to the Licensing Act 2003, after many pubs had to delay the serving of alcohol during the FIFA Women's World Cup final, advises Pub & Bar. As the game between Spain and England kicked off at 11am, due to licensing restrictions, a number of pubs and bars had to wait until the second half to be able to start serving alcoholic drinks to their customers. Despite the national licensing difficulties, the final, which England lost 1-0, delivered a double-digit revenue increase for pubs across the country. The BBPA believes a blanket licensing change during national moments like the World Cup final could result in much more for the sector.
Wine bar group Vinoteca has been bought out of administration, saving 150 jobs. The Restaurant reports that the group, which operates five London venues, has been bought by London-based investor Breal Capital. Vinoteca's future was uncertain after it filed a court notice of its intention to appoint administrators to secure breathing space from creditors. The group operates five London sites in Chiswick, Borough Yards, Farringdon, the City and King's Cross. In July last year it made its first move outside of the capital to Birmingham but the venue closed in May after less than year.
Hospitality businesses saw a 33% increase in sales during the World Cup final, despite ongoing staff shortages. Caterer Licensee Hotelier News advises that leading hospitality trade bodies have united to highlight the untapped potential of hospitality to drive economic growth, as new survey data from CGA Insight on behalf of the sector shows that 61% of hospitality businesses are experiencing staff shortages and widely reduced their trading hours and days as a result. The data, collected by the British Beer and Pub Association, the British Institute of Innkeeping, Hospitality Ulster and UKHospitality shows that almost 40% are reducing trading hours. Of those, hours have reduced by up to 74% midweek and 42% at the weekend. That loss of trading has seen two-thirds report a sales decline of up to 25%.
Travelodge has reported a 22% increase in revenue and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) up 48% in its half-year financial results. The budget hotel chain reported a record first half for the six months to 30 June 2023 driven by concerts, events, short leisure breaks and the return of business travel, reports The Caterer. It also saw revenue increase 22.4% to £478.7m, while adjusted EBITDA soared 48% to £104.5m. Revenue per available room, meanwhile, was up 21% to £54.92. Full-year profits for the chain, which operates nearly 600 hotels, are expected to be ahead of 2022. Travelodge opened four hotels in the first half of the year - three in the UK and one in Spain - with long-term growth likely to accelerate as market conditions improve. It is planning a further 300 hotels in the UK.
Morning Advertiser reports that JD Wetherspoon has confirmed the opening date of a new pub at Heathrow Airport. The Star Light will open on Monday 2 October on the site of the former Carluccio's in Terminal 4 (airside) following a £500k investment from the pubco.