25/08/2026 08:11:00
A review is being launched into the way business rates are calculated for pubs and hotels in England and Wales, and could lead to a reform of the system, the BBC reports. The Treasury says business rates expert Jerry Schurder will lead the review into rate valuations and report back in March 2027, with the government calling for the views of landlords, hoteliers and business owners to feed into the process. Pub groups have argued they face disproportionately higher rates bills, but other businesses have called for a wider reform of the rates system. James Murray, financial secretary to the Treasury, said the new review would look at "a rethink of valuations - so that we can build a fairer system for the future".
Greene King has introduced a new brand to its existing portfolio as the latest move in the reorganisation of its managed pubs division, writes The Caterer. Cornerstone Pubs is a collection of existing sites within the hospitality operator's managed division, bringing its value and carvery formats together under one brand banner. The new 'soft brand' will be launched in relevant pubs on 26 August and focus on providing a value-led proposition to community-led pubs across the group's managed portfolio.
Blacklock has reported a jump in profits in its latest financial report. The seven-strong restaurant group reported pre-tax profits of £1.1m for the year ended 28 December 2025, up from £44,794 the year before, Restaurant online reports. The large increase follows a 'very good year' for the chop house group with revenue and underlying EBITDA also showing strong increases and covers growing across all restaurants. Revenue grew 25.51%, from £19.6m to £24.6m while underlying EBITDA rose 9.09% from £2.2m to £2.4m. Over the year the group's first regional restaurant, in Manchester, completed its first full year of trading and performed ahead of expectations. Subsequent to the year end the group opened its second regional outpost and seventh restaurant overall in Birmingham, which is also 'trading strongly'.
Prime minister Andy Burnham may think an overnight visitor levy could be a "major game-changer" for Cornwall, but hoteliers in the region are far from convinced. Concerns include that it could hit competitiveness in a rural region that already struggles with seasonal fluctuations, and doubts that the funds raised would be ring-fenced to support tourism. But, regardless of the model, hoteliers are mostly concerned about its impact on competitiveness. The Tourism Alliance has pointed to evidence that price-sensitive rural and coastal destinations are more exposed than high-demand city markets. On top of that, it said a flat charge takes its largest share from low-cost stays, weighing most on lower-income families and off-season breaks, The Caterer reports.
Former Rosa's Thai and State of Play Hospitality head of operations Jonny Bramwell has launched a new pub group in Henley on Thames, the Morning Advertiser confirms. Symposium Pubs has launched with the Three Horseshoes, a Brakspear pub in west Henley, and is preparing to open a second site in the town next month. Bramwell, who has worked in hospitality for more than 20 years founded the business with his business partner Steve after leaving Rosa's Thai earlier this year. Symposium Pubs' second site will be the Duck, a town centre pub due to open on the last weekend of September. Longer term, he said Symposium would look at opportunities in Henley and the Reading area, including a sports bar and a larger food led country pub.
Goodwood hotel to 'redefine' as a luxury coaching inn in multimillion-pound transformation, The Caterer confirms...