07/04/2021
Prime minister confirms 12 April outdoor hospitality reopening
The Caterer has reported that Prime minister Boris Johnson has confirmed that outdoor hospitality will be able to reopen next Monday (12 April). Johnson said: "We see nothing in the present data that makes us think we will have to deviate from that roadmap. But it's by being cautious, by monitoring the data at every stage and following the rules... that we hope together to make this roadmap to freedom irreversible." Indoor hospitality including hotels is due to reopen in the next stage of reopening on 17 May.
JD Wetherspoon to create 2,000 jobs with post-lockdown investment
According to the Guardian, JD Wetherspoon is going against the grain of closures in the struggling pub trade with a £145m investment in new venues and refurbishments that will create 2,000 jobs. Wetherspoon's has a pipeline of 75 projects, which includes 18 new pubs as well as 57 significant extensions and upgrades to existing venues within its estate of 871 premises.
Board Changes at JW Lees
The Morning Advertiser has reported that two family members have stepped down from roles at north west-based brewer and pub operator JW Lees, and the company has that the £10m funding they secured last year is earmarked to target acquisitions of suburban pubs in it's north west heartland.
Pubs veteran Anand poised to toast maiden RedCat acquisition
The pubs industry veteran Rooney Anand is close to toasting the inaugural acquisition of his new consolidation vehicle as the sector prepares for a tentative reopening next month. Sky News has reported that RedCat Pub Company is on the brink of buying approximately 40 venues from Stonegate. A source close to RedCat said the deal was awaiting the approval of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).
13 community-owned pubs opened in 2020
A new report from community business charity The Plunkett Foundation has uncovered increased demand for support to help communities regain control of essential local services over the past year, reports the Morning Advertiser.
Fuller's gears up for reopening with share placing
Fuller's has proposed a non-pre-emptive placing of up to 6,455,447 new 'A' ordinary shares, representing up to 20% of the group's existing issued 'A' ordinary share capital, in order to raise funds. Lockdowns and trading restrictions have inevitably impacted the group's liquidity position, reports The Caterer. Fuller's said the proceeds from the placing with the revised banking facilities would strengthen the group's balance sheet and allow it to explore growth opportunities on reopening and provide additional liquidity, headroom and resilience if the easing of restrictions is delayed or restrictions are reintroduced.
Byron set to open its first new site for five years
Better burger brand Byron is set to open its first new site for five years as part of its expansion plans, Propel has reported. It is understood the new site, which is believed to be located within the M25, is currently in the hands of lawyers but Byron hopes to open it by the end of May.
And Finally...
A former international poker star has bought a long-vacant pub - where he plans to work behind the bar. Sam Holden - who rose to fame after winning almost $1 million on the world poker stage - has traded in the baize for the beers after snapping up The Monument in St Dunstans, Canterbury, Kent Online has reported.