04/08/2026 10:05:00
Punch Pubs has reported a 9% revenue boost for the year to date and confirmed that it had agreed to buy a 24 pubs for £19.2m, including five additional pubs from RedCat Hospitality. Revenue for the 40 weeks to 17 May 2026 was £274.7m, with underlying earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation up 6.6% to £75.9m. Punch said this had been driven by like-for-like estate performance, profits from pub partnerships transfers and new acquisitions. Those acquisitions included 50 pubs in the year to date, including 30 from McMullen's. Punch said it would continue to assess single-site and small portfolio transactions, The Caterer reports.
The UK service-led restaurant market is forecast to reach £18.7bn in 2026, according to research from Lumina Intelligence. The latest quarterly Operator Data Index (ODI) shows the segment will see turnover growth of 1% despite a 0.9% decline in outlets to 25,915. Branded restaurants are forecast to increase turnover by 3% despite broadly flat outlet growth of 0.2%, driven by continued premiumisation, operational discipline and expansion among high-performing brands. Fine dining is set to lead the market with turnover growth of 4.1% and outlet growth of 2.5%, supported by resilient higher-income demand. Independents, meanwhile, remain under pressure with turnover forecast to decline by 0.5% and outlet numbers falling by 1.2%, Restaurant online reports.
More than a third of Britons (37%) plan to take more UK leisure trips in 2026, according to AA Media's UK Leisure Travel Survey, reports Boutique Hotelier. While value for money remains the top consideration (79%), 43% are choosing UK destinations over overseas holidays. More than half (56%) are opting for shorter, more frequent breaks, and a quarter (25%) expect to spend more on experiences closer to home. The North of England is the most popular destination (45%), while coastal breaks remain the UK's favourite getaway (55%).
Councillors in Nottinghamshire have unanimously backed plans to create a new support package for local pubs, following calls for greater protection for the sector, the Morning Advertiser reports. Members of Ashfield District Council voted in favour of the cross-party Protecting Ashfield's Pubs motion, which will now see the authority explore the creation of an Ashfield Pub Protection Plan. The motion was proposed by Hucknall North Councillor Gordon Mann and seconded by Hucknall Central councillor Lee Waters, with every councillor present voting in favour. The proposed plan would make it easier for publicans to find out about grants, access licensing advice and get support available through the council. It could also see pubs promoted through local events, tourism activity, town centre initiatives and council communications, helping venues attract more customers and remain at the heart if their communities.
Tricia Penrose, former star of long-running ITV drama Heartbeat, has announced the acquisition of The Goathland Hotel in the North York Moors, writes Boutique Hotelier. The pub with rooms was used as the set for the Aidensfield Arms in Heartbeat, which ran from 1992 to 2010. Penrose played the role of barmaid Gina Ward for the show's entire 18-year run. Many of the programme's pub scenes in the early series were filmed at the venue, before a replica of the interior was built. However, the real pub continued to be used for all exterior shots. Penrose has acquired the hotel alongside two local businessmen and plans to launch a YouTube channel documenting her journey as an owner.
The VATs The Problem campaign has reached a new milestone, with 300,000 people having signed the petition supporting a new rate of 10% VAT for hospitality, Beer Today reports.