07/07/2026 09:09:00
Elliott Advisors is understood to have joined a shortlist of bidders to acquire a package of Stonegate's pubs thought to be valued at £300m, The Caterer reports. The activist investor firm has driven boardroom overhauls at listed businesses including BP. Its bid for Stonegate's pubs is led by the firm's private equity arm, which counts book retailer Waterstones among its previous acquisitions. Sky News reported that the shortlist, which also includes Terra Firma Capital, is vying to acquire a package of 300 of Stonegate's premium pubs. Stonegate is working with investment bank Eastdil on the sale, which is part of a plan to offload up to 1,000 of its pubs to reduce the group's debt pile.
Prime minister-in-waiting Andy Burnham has signalled his plans for a major overhaul of business rates aimed at reducing costs for pubs and high street businesses while increasing rates on large warehouses, writes Restaurant Online. He explained he would look at increasing business rates on large warehouses while proposing a 20% cut for pubs, as well as lifting some high street venues out of business rates altogether. The recently elected Makerfield MP went on to say that it was important to prioritise and reward businesses that "bring social benefit", including bars, restaurants, and coffee shops.
Market Halls has recorded a strong uplift in full-year sales bolstered by the food hall operator's ongoing expansion ambitions, reports The Caterer. Market Halls posted a 4.8% uplift in adjusted EBITDA to £4m and an 18% rise in group turnover to £16.9m in the 52 weeks to 29 June 2025. The food hall specialist attributed its strong growth to "the addition of new sites and continued trading momentum across its established locations". On an operating basis, Market Halls recorded a £79,000 loss during the period, which the business said was "in line with expectations and reflects deliberate investment to support expansion" as the business grew its number of outlets from three to five. Market Halls was founded in 2018 and operates in five locations - London Victoria, Oxford Street, Canary Wharf, Paddington and Shelter Hall in Brighton.
PoB Hotels has added The White Hart in Lincoln to its growing portfolio, writes Boutique Hotelier. Set on Bailgate in Uphill Lincoln, just steps from the cathedral and castle, The White Hart is owned by Andrew Long and is part of the Loxley Collection of hotels. The hotel comprises 53 bedrooms, 2 AA Rosette restaurant Antlers, Colonnade Cocktail Lounge, Gibson Club Bar and The Aquitaine Spa. The business continues to benefit from a rolling refurbishment programme since it was acquired in 2022. The White Hart Hotel is part of Long's expanding portfolio, which also includes Hotel Victoria in Robin Hood's Bay and the Polurrian on the Lizard in Cornwall.
Following England's win versus Mexico early yesterday morning, new insights from Dojo have revealed that the blanket 5 am licensing extension put in place across the UK generated a boost for the UK's hospitality sector despite the delayed 2 am kick-off time. Dojo's analysis of pub and bar transactions across the UK has found that while only one-third of pubs remained open, half the usual number of fans stayed out to watch the game this morning compared to Sunday afternoon. According to their data, three-quarters of customers were still spending between midnight and 2 am. From 2 am onwards, this dropped to one-third of customers, reaching one-tenth at 4 am. Extended licensing hours generated an 11% boost in spending, CLH News reports.
Restaurant Online reported that industry data released ahead of the consumer launch of the #VATsTheProblem campaign on 1 July found that one in six hospitality businesses believed they were at risk of failure within the following 12 months.