23/06/2026 09:16:00
Stonegate has reported its strongest first half trading performance in the group's history, as its shift towards a more partnership led pub model continues to gather pace, reports the Morning Advertiser. The UK's largest pub company said adjusted earnings rose by £17m to £201m in the 28 weeks to 12 April 2026. The group said performance had been supported by growth across its leased and tenanted, Craft Union and managed pub divisions. Like to like sales rose 1.5% across leased and tenanted pubs, 4.5% across Craft Union and 0.6% across its core managed pubs. Stonegate said total sales were ahead of CGA market data during the first half of the year.
UK hotels, labelled the 'biggest losers' from the business rates revaluation that came into effect this year, are set to receive targeted relief over the next two years, The Caterer reports. A review by the Treasury, which is expected to be launch this week, could reverse the business rates revaluation, first introduced in the chancellor's 2025 autumn Budget, by 2029. Sources told The Times that sweeping cuts to rates bills specifically for hotels could come into effect in 2027 and 2028. Under current plans hotels will be hit with a 77% surge in rateable value between 2023 and 2026 - significantly higher than that of pubs (29%) and restaurants (14%). Reeves is understood to have privately told hotel executives that reductions of hotels' rateable values will be laid out in this year's autumn budget following a completion of a wider review of how business rates are levied across hotels and pubs.
Brunning & Price has said it aims to open three to five new pubs a year as it looks to build on a strong trading performance across its estate, writes the Morning Advertiser. The group reported like for like sales growth of 6.32% for the 52 weeks to 28 December 2025, ahead of the wider pub restaurant market. Revenue rose 12.4% to £156.3m, compared with £139.1m the previous year. The company said the increase reflected strong trading across the estate, the acquisition of ten pubs in September 2025 and a short trading contribution from Bluebeckers, which became a direct subsidiary in December.
Fattal Hotel Group's takeover bid of PPHE Hotel Group has collapsed following opposition from a major shareholder, The Caterer reports. The operator of the Park Plaza and Art'otel brands said Fattal had made an indicative proposal of £22 per share in cash on 27 May, which the PPHE board had "unanimously determined" as representing "fair value". However, Euro Plaza Holdings, which holds roughly 33% of the company's issued share capital, informed the independent offer committee that it opposed Fattal's proposal. The committee has since concluded the Fattal deal is "not capable of being delivered in its current form". PPHE stated it had received an indicative proposal from another interested party at a "very preliminary stage" that is "currently being assessed".
New analysis indicates that the UK accommodation sector is set to be one of the biggest winners of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with hotels, short-term lets and serviced accommodation providers expected to see a significant uplift in demand around the tournament period. Analysis from money.co.uk business banking experts forecasts that the sector will generate an additional £3.5 billion in revenue over the wider May-July 2026 window - a 25.2% increase compared with a typical non-World Cup year and the strongest percentage growth across all sectors modelled. The figures are based on Office for National Statistics (ONS) turnover data and historical spending patterns from previous World Cup tournaments, modelling how major sporting events influence travel, occupancy and short-term booking behaviour, advises CLH news.
Lidl Northern Ireland has opened the doors to its new public house The Middle Ale in Dundonald, marking the retailer's first ever pub, reports The Insider...