20/05/2025 10:20:00
Stonegate's Craft Union arm has marked a decade of business, writes the Morning Advertiser. In April 2015, Stonegate opened its first Craft Union site, the Market Tavern, in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent. Now, the pubco operates some 635 sites nationwide and said it has a new "pipeline of pubs" still to come. The award-winning community led brand saw rapid expansion last year, opening 78 new sites with a £16m investment by owner Stonegate Group, the UK's biggest pubco.
Sixty-five per cent of those who stay in pubs or are interested in doing so are aged over 55. There is "significant potential" for growth in the pubs with rooms market, with an opportunity for operators to target younger customers. That's one of the key findings of a new report based on surveys of more than 4,000 people commissioned by Stay in a Pub, supported by VisitEngland and Zonal Hotel Solutions and conducted by CGA by NIQ. At least half of those who stay in pubs say pubs provide a friendlier atmosphere (50%), more traditional and historic charm (53%) and more relaxed environments (53%). 67% think they offer the best range of food and drink -- more than double those (30%) who rate hotels best, reports The Caterer.
Pub group founded by the ex-boss of Greene King is in advanced talks to buy a swathe of sites from his former employer in a £90m deal. Sky News has learnt that RedCat Pub Group, is close to finalising the purchase of 39 pub-hotels from Greene King. Sources said a deal could be struck within days. RedCat is backed by the US investor Oaktree Capital Management. The company trades from roughly 100 sites, about a third of which operate under a subsidiary called The Coaching Inn Group, which has about 1,400 bedrooms, making it the fourth-largest pubs-with-rooms operator in the UK.
Restaurateur Tommy Banks has announced the launch of a new hospitality venture, Jeopardy Hospitality, along with business partner Matthew Lockwood, brother James Banks and businessman, Neil Armstrong. The group's first project under the Jeopardy Hospitality brand will be the restoration and reopening of The General Tarleton, a beloved North Yorkshire establishment, set to welcome guests later this summer. With this new project, the team aims to breathe new life into cherished venues and bring a renewed sense of purpose and connection to communities across the UK. Recognising their importance within British culture, community and history, Jeopardy Hospitality will focus on pubs, with each opening celebrating the history of the site and individual charm, as well as its surrounding area, says Hospitality and Catering News.
Premium pub operator, Butcombe Group, has reported record revenue of £149m for its last financial year, up from £144.4m in the previous year, advises Boutique Hotelier. The group, which has sites stretching from Mayfair in London to St Aubin in Jersey, has reported its financial results for the year ended 25 January 2025, showing that it achieved 7.4% growth in underlying group EBITDA. The year saw the group invest in menu development, offering all-day brunch, small plates, sandwiches and classic dishes, with the company noting that breakfast was the fastest-growing mealtime. It also saw the rollout of Butcombe Boutique Inns, the group's premium room offering, to 10 sites during the year, plus one more since the end of the reporting period.
Fast-growing "fine fast food" business Yolk has launched a new £2m fundraising round, as its eyes a 50-strong UK estate and an international launch. Last week, the business opened its tenth store, alongside launching a new brand identity. Yolk said the Holborn site kicks off the next phase of its expansion - with six more sites planned for 2025 and, from 2026, the brand will begin its move beyond the M25, reports MCA Insight.
Beer sales bounce back after slow start to the year. Draught beer sales across the on-trade saw a positive upswing in April after a slow start to 2025, says the Morning Advertiser.