03/05/2023 09:25:00
Fuller, Smith & Turner (Fuller's) will transfer 23 of its managed pubs into its award-winning tenanted division after a strategic review. Morning Advertiser reports that the move comes after the London-based operator analysed its sites' performances during the past 12 months of restriction-free trade. Commenting on the move of 23 pubs from its Managed Pub & Hotels estates to Tenanted Inns division, a spokesperson for Fuller's said: "Operating both managed and tenanted pubs has always been a key tenet of Fuller's strategy, and the company has always holistically curated its pub estate, operating individual sites under the business model that worked best for the pub and best for Fuller's and moving sites between the two."
Pubs and bars that produce their own beer could see their bills slashed by as much as 20% off predicted wholesale prices, after the government announced further support on costs for sectors using high amounts of energy. Applications have now opened for energy and trade intensive sectors that are most affected by the unprecedented rise in global energy prices to claim further discounts on their bills between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024. Pub & Bar reports that the companies that are eligible for the support in question use high amounts of energy to deliver their goods, but also are exposed to strong international competition, meaning they cannot raise their prices to cover the increase in costs they have faced. This could include breweries. Ministers are urging companies to check their eligibility and submit their applications at the earliest opportunity.
Train drivers are set to strike again across three dates in May and June, dashing hopes within the hospitality sector that the long-running dispute could be coming to an end, reports the Restaurant. The Aslef union has confirmed that three 24-hour strikes will be held on Friday 12 May, Wednesday 31 May and Saturday 3 June. An overtime ban will also be put in place from Monday 15 to Saturday 20 May inclusive, as well as on Saturday 13 May and Thursday 1 June. It comes after the union rejected what is described as a 'risible' pay offer for its members of 4% a year for two years.
The Italian restaurant chain Prezzo has said it plans to close 46 outlets in the UK, putting 810 jobs at risk, in a sign of the struggles for the casual dining sector amid the cost of living crisis. Announcing the news last Monday, the company blamed inflation, saying rising costs made it impossible for it to make a profit in some locations, reports The Guardian.
The coronation, which will take place on Saturday, is expected to provide a £120 million boost for pubs across the UK, reports Express & Star. Figures from the British Beer and Pub Association show local pubs and breweries expect to pour 62 million pints over the celebratory coronation bank holiday weekend.