24/02/2026 09:49:00
Community pub group Admiral Taverns "remains focused on growing its estate", CEO Chris Jowsey outlined. The trading update for the 53 weeks ended 1 June 2025 reported underlying operating profit up 19% at £45.6m, the Morning Advertiser reports. The Proprium Capital Partners-owned firm invested £31.5m across both leased & tenanted and operator managed estates, including refurbishments and pub garden improvements. Group turnover was at £210.4m (up from £194.4m in the 2024 period) while gross profit was £122m (up from £111.8m). Moreover, underlying earnings before interest, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) was £68.9m (an increase from £60.8m).
James Watt is attempting to take back control of BrewDog by ploughing £10m of his own money into the craft brewer, according to reports. Over the weekend, Sky News reported that the co-founder and former boss of the beer and bar chain was in the process of organising a consortium of external investors to acquire BrewDog's bars, brands and brewing businesses in their entirety. It was also believed an initial round of bids had been made at the start of last week as advisers sought an imminent sale of the struggling business. While several multinational brewers were expected to have shown interest in BrewDog's brewery and beer assets, the fate of its bars business was "less obvious", The Caterer reports.
Fulham Shore has appointed advisors to review its strategic options. The casual dining group behind the Franco Manca and The Real Greek restaurant brands is working with Alvarez & Marsal to review its options, which could include a sale or restructure, The Restaurant reports. The group said the review would "ensure both brands are on the strongest possible footing to realise their long-term potential" during what it described as a challenging trading environment that had affected operators across the restaurant sector.
The latest addition to the competitive socialising scene will arrive in London next month, coming from the team behind Topgolf and Puttshack, writes Pub & Bar. Poolhouse uses AI technology to reimagine the classic game of pool. Four years in the making, the concept blends familiar traditions of pool with game patented technology. Tables will offer guests of all skill levels an engaging experience with a diverse library of interactive pool games. Spanning 21,000 sq ft across two floors and featuring 20 full-sized tables, the venue at 100 Liverpool Street has been designed around 'classic pool halls meet vintage Las Vegas'.
InterContinental Hotels Group has reported a strong full-year performance, with operating profit from reportable segments rising 13% to $1.27bn (£1bn) and adjusted earnings per share up 16%. The group said revenue from reportable segments increased 7% to $2.47bn in the year to 31 December 2025, while total IFRS revenue rose 5% to $5.19bn. Global revenue per available room increased 1.5% during the year. By major geographic markets, RevPAR for the year was +1.1% in the UK, +4.2% in continental Europe, +5.5% for the East Asia & Pacific region and +8.8% in the Middle East. The FTSE-listed hospitality group recorded its highest ever annual number of openings during 2025 and continued expansion across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa, writes Hotel Owner.
Tight consumer spending after festive celebrations led to a 0.1% drop in like-for-like sales at Britain's top managed restaurant, pub and bar groups in January, according to the latest NIQ RSM Hospitality Business Tracker. A slow start to the year follows a flurry of spending in December, when sales rose 2.9% year-on-year, which may have left many consumers keeping a close lid on their outgoings in January. The Tracker reveals pub groups achieved marginal like-for-like sales growth of 0.4% in the first month of 2026. This was fractionally ahead of managed restaurant operators, where sales edged up 0.3%, reports CLH News.
Pubs in England and Wales will be able to stay open late for any home nation knockout match during the men's World Cup this summer, reports the BBC.