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Friday 31st January 2014
Breaking News - Cerberus acquires 32 Punch pubs from Prestbury
Prestbury sells 32 Punch pubs to Cerberus: Property firm Prestbury Holdings has sold 32 Punch Taverns pubs to the US-based private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management. The value of the deal is not known but likely to be above £40m. The se … view
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Friday 31st January 2014
Breaking News - Administrator - Inc Group VAT and PAYE under-declared
Administrator - Inc Group VAT and PAYE under-declared: The administrator of Greenwich area operator Inc Group, led by Frank Dowling, has reported VAT under-declaration – and the transfer of leases despite warnings that the company was insolv … view
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Friday 31st January 2014
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Breakfasts, pubs and healthy eating, pubcos and the long game, dining at airports and the rise and fall of the fruit machine
Authors: Martyn Cornell, Paul Charity, Ann Elliott and Bill Epsley

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Friday 31st January 2014
Breaking News - OFT clears way for discounts on hotel rooms
OFT clears way for discounts on hotel rooms: The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has accepted formal commitments from two of the UK’s largest online travel agents, Booking.com B.V. (Booking.com) and Expedia Inc (Expedia), together with Int … view
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Friday 31st January 2014
Propel Friday News Briefing
Geof Collyer – progress at M&B but Herculean effort required to turn around bottom quartile: Deutsche Bank leisure analyst Geof Collyer has hailed progress at Mitchells & Butlers but argued that a “Herculean effort" is required to turn aro … view
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Thursday 30th January 2014
Breaking News - Mitchells & Butlers and Fuller's trading updates
Mitchells & Butlers reports 2.6% like-for-likes over festive period: Mitchells & Butlers has reported 2.6% like-for-like sales growth over the three-week festive period to 4 January. Like-for-like food volumes increased by 1.3%, selling 6 … view
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Thursday 30th January 2014
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Spirit Pub Company and Pesto call time on two-pub partnership: Spirit Pub Company is to transfer both pubs let to Pesto in the Pub, the Italian-in-a-pub offer led by La Tasca creator Neil Gatt and Sara Edwards, to its managed division aft … view
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Wednesday 29th January 2014
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
More than 60 Newcastle restaurants to take part in Restaurant Week this week after 43% uplift in sales last time: More than 60 restaurants in Newcastle are taking part in Restaurant Week this week, which produced a 43% uplift in sales las … view
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Tuesday 28th January 2014
Breaking News - New better burger concept seeks funding
New better burger concept seeks funding; question mark over valuation: A new better burger concept, Artisan Burger Company, is seeking seed-funding to open four sites offering handmade gourmet burgers, hand-cured salt beef and slow-cooked … view
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Tuesday 28th January 2014
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Punch Taverns on collision course with senior bondholders: Punch Taverns looks to be on a collision course with senior bondholders after they rejected the latest set of restructuring proposals from the tenanted pub company. A group that r … view
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Monday 27th January 2014
Propel Monday News Briefing
Horizons – eating our frequency back in line with 2010 levels: The QuickBite survey of consumers by insights firm Horizons has found that Britain’s eating out market is recovering in terms of frequency, with the percentage of people e … view
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Friday 24th January 2014
Breaking News - Prestbury sells 102 Spirit pubs to Cerberus for £170m
Prestbury sells 102 Spirit pubs to Cerberus for £170m: Property firm Prestbury Holdings, led by Nick Leslau, has sold 102 Spirit freeholds to Cerberus Capital Management for £170m. It’s the second major pub acquisition for Cerberus, which … view
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Friday 24th January 2014
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Roadside pubs, keg beer, dry January and the rise of regional cuisines
Authors: Martyn Cornell, Terry Dicks, Paul Chase and Darren Tristano

Pubs by roads, and promoting happiness by Marty … view

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Friday 24th January 2014
Propel Friday News Briefing
McDonald’s plans between 1,500 and 1,600 new restaurants in 2014 – UK reports high single-digit growth: McDonald’s plans between 1,500 and 1,600 new restaurants around the world in 2014, with capital expenditure of between $2.9 and … view
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Thursday 23rd January 2014
Propel Thursday News Briefing
JD Wetherspoon like-for-likes hit double digits in the ten most recent days but performance remains ‘enigmatic’: JD Wetherspoon like-for-like sales growth hit double digits in the ten days until 19 January compared to a period last ye … view
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Wednesday 22nd January 2014
Breaking News - Barworks/Dean's Diner report record profits
Barworks and Dean’s Diner report record profit: London-based bar and restaurant company Barworks and Dean’s Diner operator Good Life Group, two companies with the same four directors, have reported a combined pre-tax profit of circa … view
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Wednesday 22nd January 2014
Breaking News - JD Wetherspoon like-for-likes up 6.7%
JD Wetherspoon like-for-likes up 6.7%: JD Wetherspoon has reported that its like-for-like sales rose by 6.7% and total sales by 10.6% in the first 12 weeks of its second quarter to 19 January. In the year to date (25 weeks to 19 January 2 … view
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Wednesday 22nd January 2014
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Vince Cable – “we needed time to consider pubco regulation but we are nearly there”: Business Secretary Vince Cable has told MPs that the government needs time to consider pubco regulation evidence properly – although statutory re … view
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Tuesday 21st January 2014
Stonegate opens next generation student pubs
Stonegate opens next generation student pubs: Stonegate Pub Company is opening two next generation student Scream pubs in Sheffield and Leeds this week under the internal banner of Common Room after the successful opening of a first site in So … view
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Tuesday 21st January 2014
Breaking News - Restaurant Group chief executive to retire
Restaurant Group chief executive to retire: The Restaurant Group (TRG) has reported that its chief executive Andrew Page has notified the board that he wishes to retire as ceo in August 2014. The company stated: “Under Andrew’s leader … view
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Tuesday 21st January 2014
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Davis Coffer Lyons predicts rise of “hybrid” retail/eat and drink concepts: The leisure consultancy Davis Coffer Lyons has produced its predictions form 2014, which include the growth of “hybrid concepts” that blur the boundaries … view
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Monday 20th January 2014
Propel Monday News Briefing
Christmas sales at Living Ventures up 43%: Christmas sales at Living Ventures Group, the company behind the Gusto and Blackhouse Grill chains, were up 43% over the same period in 2012, thanks to new six openings and a 9% rise in like-for- … view
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Friday 17th January 2014
Loungers secures eight sites for 2014 – first opening on Wednesday
Loungers secures eight sites for 2014 – first opening on Wednesday: The cafe-bar concept Loungers has secured eight of its target 15 sites for 2014, with the first opening on Wednesday, 22 January, in Glossop, which will be the company’s 4 … view
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Friday 17th January 2014
Friday Opinion
Subjects: the vital role of operations manager, the pub market and restaurants and South African-style
Authors: Nick Bish, Neil Morgan and Ann Elliott 

Operations managers – their vital role by … view

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Friday 17th January 2014
Propel Friday News Briefing
Inventive Leisure launches ‘best-in-class’ drinks offer: The Revolution vodka bar operator Inventive Leisure has launched what it calls a “best-in-class” drinks proposition across its bottled, draught and wine ranges. A review of … view
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Thursday 16th January 2014
Propel Thursday News Briefing
December like-for-likes up 3.2%; London managed pubs up 6.5%: Latest figures reveal that the nation’s leading pub, bar and restaurant groups enjoyed a festive season boost, with collective like-for-like sales up 3.3% on last year. Total … view
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Wednesday 15th January 2014
Breaking News - St Austell's coffee launch, Hall & Woodhouse, Ossett
St Austell launches its own coffee brand: St Austell Brewery has become the latest company to enter the coffee market with its own Brewer and Bean brand, which will be available across its 25-strong managed estate in Cornwall and Devon next mo … view
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Wednesday 15th January 2014
Breaking News - JDW to open motorway pub at 4am each day
Wetherspoon to open motorway pub at 4am: JD Wetherspoon is to open its new outlet in Beaconsfield motorway service station next Tuesday, 21 January, with the creation of 120 new jobs. The new premises will be open from 4am until 1am seve … view
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Wednesday 15th January 2014
Breaking News - Punch publishes final restructuring plan
Punch Taverns publishes final restructuring proposal: Tenanted pub operator Punch Taverns has published its final proposals for restructuring the company’s £2.3bn securitised debts with amendments to the plans set out last month. The c … view
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Wednesday 15th January 2014
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Hall & Woodhouse MD – ‘My successor won’t be a family member’: Mark Woodhouse, managing director of the Dorset-based brewer and pub operator Hall & Woodhouse, says the next managing director of the company will not be a family mem … view
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Tuesday 14th January 2014
Breaking News - Results: Wagamama, Hop Back, Star Pubs & Bars
Wagamama reports £17.5m PBT: Noodle chain Wagamama has reported turnover grew to £141,170,000 in the year to 28 April 2013, up from £124,392,000 the year before. Pre-tax profit rose to £17,575,000 from £17,388,000 the year before. Th … view
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Tuesday 14th January 2014
Breaking News - Spirit reports 7% rise in LfLs over Xmas
Spirit reports like-for-likes up 7% over Christmas: Spirit Pub Company has reported like-for-like sales up 7% over three Christmas weeks aided by the timing of holidays. Like-for-like net sales are up 4.3% in the 20 weeks to 4 January, with li … view
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Tuesday 14th January 2014
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Mitchells & Butlers loses four senior executives – two to join Tesco: Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) has been hit by four unexpected senior resignations with two of the four set to join the burgeoning foodservice division at Tesco. Tom Crowl … view
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Monday 13th January 2014
Breaking News - James Horler: 'Ego to open in tenanted pubs'
James Horler – Ego set to open in tenanted pubs: 3Sixty Restaurants is to open its Ego Mediterranean restaurant and bar brand in tenanted pub company sites. The company, led by James Horler, has retained agent Collier to find suitable s … view
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Monday 13th January 2014
Breaking News - Greene King reports 6% Xmas fortnight LfLs
Greene King reports 6% Xmas period like-for-likes: Greene King has reported managed division like-for-like sales up 5% in the last six weeks and 3.8% year-to-date – like-for-like growth hit 6% over the two-week Christmas and New Year pe … view
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Monday 13th January 2014
Propel Monday News Briefing
Adam Fowle – 750 Tesco stores big enough for a foodservice offer: Adam Fowle, the new chief executive of Tesco Family Dining Group, has reported that there are 750 Tesco stores that have the room for a foodservice offer. Fowle, who has … view
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Sunday 12th January 2014
Breaking News - Exclusive: Everards results, new pub, brewery move
Everards reports turnover and profit boost: Leicestershire-based brewer and pub retailer Everards has reported turnover and profit rose in the year to 30 September 2013. Turnover increased by 1.7% – or £498,000 – to £29,844,000 with prof … view
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Friday 10th January 2014
Breaking News - Peach and Davy's report strong December l-f-ls
Peach reports 7.1% like-for-likes: Peach Pub Company, led by co-founders Hamish Stoddart and Lee Cash, has reported 7.1% like-for-like growth in December and a £600,000 record-breaking week in its last full trading week before Christmas (16-2 … view
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Friday 10th January 2014
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Economic optimism, groupthink, the face of alcohol and food regulation in 2014
Authors: Martyn Cornell, Tim Martin and Paul Chase

Greek villas, Theo Walcott’s ligaments and economic opt … view

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Friday 10th January 2014
Propel Friday News Briefing
Bramwell owed more than £60m at time of collapse: Bramwell Pubs and Bars owed more than £60m to creditors at the time administrators were appointed last year, almost three times more than initially thought, it has been revealed. Adminis … view
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Thursday 9th January 2014
Breaking News - Restaurant Group: up to 43 new sites in 2014
Restaurant Group – up to 43 new openings in 2014: The Restaurant Group has reported that its full year results for the 42 weeks to 29 December, to be announced by early March 2014, are expected to be ahead of the consensus of market for … view
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Thursday 9th January 2014
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Barburrito co-founder quits: Paul Kilpatrick, co-founder of the Manchester-based Mexican food chain Barburrito, has left the company to pursue other interests. The news came as the company reported a rise in turnover and said it was looki … view
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Wednesday 8th January 2014
Breaking News - Yummy reports 30% like-for-like rise despite flooding
Yummy reports 30% like-for-like rise in December: The Yummy Pub Co, the four-site multiple founded by Anthony Pender, Jason Rowlands and Tim Foster has reported like-for-likes up 30.2% over the month of December, with increases at all fou … view
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Wednesday 8th January 2014
Breaking News - Domino's reports 10.9% like-for-likes in Q4
Domino’s reports 10.9% like-for-likes: Domino’s UK has reported like-for-like sales growth of 10.9% at its 670 UK stores (2012: 4.5% in 613 sites) in the 13 weeks to 29 December. System sales for the period were up 15.6% to £170.4m (2012: … view
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Wednesday 8th January 2014
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Allegra – coffee shop market grown by 6.4%: The total UK coffee shop market is estimated at 16,501 outlets and continues to show strong sales growth of 6.4% on last year with £6.2 billion total turnover, according to coffee specialist … view
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Tuesday 7th January 2014
Breaking News - Oakman Inns reports core sites Ebitda up 55%
Oakman Inns five core sites report Ebitda of £1.5m: Oakman Inns and Restaurants, the award-winning operator led by Peter Borg-Neal, has reported group turnover rose by 18.77% to £8.98m in the year to 31 March 2013. The company made a loss of … view
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Tuesday 7th January 2014
Breaking News: Rex Associates, Arkells and Brakspear
Wolsely operator reports turnover doubled: Rex Associates, the operator of Brasserie Zedel and The Wolseley, has reported turnover increased by 105% to £28,587,820 in the year to 31 March 2013, up from £13,913,750 the year before. The c … view
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Tuesday 7th January 2014
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Camra launches ‘pubs and the economy’ campaign: Camra, the Campaign for Real Ale, has launched a “pubs and the economy” campaign aiming to promote the benefits of pubs to the British economy and encourage more people to use their … view
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Monday 6th January 2014
Whiting & Hammond reports 'biblical' Xmas challenges
Whiting & Hammond strong like-for-likes in December despite “biblical” challenge: South east gastro-operator Whiting & Hammond, led by Brian Whiting, has reported very strong December trading despite “biblical challenges”. The company … view
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Monday 6th January 2014
Breaking News - Orchid reports festive sales up 9.8%
Orchid reports sales up 9.8% over Christmas: Like-for-like sales at Orchid Group grew 9.8% over the Christmas and New Year period with food sales up 11% across the business. Simon Dodd, commercial & people director, said: “Across the co … view
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Monday 6th January 2014
Breaking News - Analyst: trading updates helped by strong December
Douglas Jack - we expect positive festive trading: Numis Securities leisure analyst Douglas Jack has forecast that the forthcoming trading update season will be positive, aided by good trading over December. He said: “Although storms, f … view
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Monday 6th January 2014
Propel Monday News Briefing
La Tasca secures up to £7.5m of new funding: Spanish tapas chain La Tasca, led by Simon Wilkinson, has secured a new loan facility of up to £7.5m from its existing banks. Principal bank Kaupthing and Commerzbank have provided a facility … view
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Friday 3rd January 2014
Horizons – casual dining and coffee shops winners in 2014
Horizons – casual dining and coffee shops winners in 2014: Casual dining outlets and coffee shops are likely to be the main winners in the UK’s foodservice sector during 2014 as consumers slowly start to regain confidence and increase thei … view
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Friday 3rd January 2014
Breaking News - Exclusive: Charles Wells and Gerard plan new concept
Exclusive: Charles Wells partners ex-M&B executive for new concept: Bedford-based brewer and retailer Charles Wells is partnering former Mitchells & Butlers executive Chris Gerard to launch a new concept in Bedford. The De Parys Hotel, in De P … view
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Friday 3rd January 2014
Propel Friday News Briefing
Jongleurs set to unveil expansion plans – and catch-up on payments to comedians: The comedy club chain Jongleurs is set to unveil ambitious expansion plans – and promised to clear all the debts it owes to stand-ups who play its clubs … view
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Thursday 2nd January 2014
Breaking News - Varsity Bars buys 18 Bramwell sites
Varsity Bars buys 18 Bramwell sites: Varsity Bars, a new company incorporated at the start of last month and led by Michael Holder, has acquired 18 former Bramwell Pub Company sites out of administration through agent Christie + Co. The portfo … view
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Thursday 2nd January 2014
Propel Thursday News Briefing
First companies report December trading uplift: Managed pub and bar group TCG has reported an average 7% like-for-like sales uplift across the estate during Christmas and New Year. Chief operating officer Nigel Wright said: “Our festive … view
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