NEWS

In a written statement by Huw Irranca-Davies MS, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, the Welsh government has announced that they have initiated the process to appoint a Deposit Management Organisation (DMO) to run its Deposit Return Scheme.   Commenting on the statement, Travis Way, Managing Director at EcoVend, a brand by international circularity specialists Reconomy, said: “This is an important and encouraging step forward in

Derbyshire & Peak District hotels team up with Athletic Brewing to support county’s Don’t Risk the Drive campaign   Casa Hotel and Peak Edge Hotel have partnered with award-winning alcohol-free brewer Athletic Brewing to reward guests who choose to drive safely during the festive season and support Derbyshire’s Don’t Risk the Drive campaign.   Throughout December, designated drivers can enjoy The Designated Driver’s Pint: a complimentary pint of alcohol-free Athletic Run Wil

Emma McClarkin, CEO of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: “After a challenging Budget, the Employment Rights Bill has been adding to anxiety so the decision to remove this clause will be a relief to many brewers and publicans who might otherwise have been cautious about taking on new staff. We now call on Government to work with the BBPA and other trade sectors to further improve the Employment Rights Bill, retain flexibility and to avoid unintended consequences and

CAMRA names the four finalists in the overall Club of the Year 2025 competition The Club of the Year competition is heating up as CAMRA unveils the top four social clubs in the UK. Run in conjunction with Club Mirror , the award recognises clubs offering a fantastic atmosphere, welcoming surroundings and most importantly, top quality cask beer served in great condition.   The four fantastic finalists will now battle it out to claim CAMRA’s overall Club of the Year title, the

Independent brewer and pub company Shepherd Neame’s team members and pubs won three accolades at the National Innovation in Training Awards (NITAs), organised by the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII).   The Faversham-based brewer won Best Training Programme: Sustainability Award – Individual Site; Best Training Programme: Apprenticeships and Hospitality Apprentice of the Year – Operations at a glittering ceremony at Porchester Hall London, on Thursday, November 20.   The

Hook Norton Brewery, renowned for its rich brewing history since 1849, will be showcasing it’s Heritage Clothing range at a special event on Friday 5th December 5pm - 8pm.  Inspired by the brewery’s deep-rooted countryside heritage and timeless British style, the collection is a natural extension of the Hook Norton lifestyle—authentic, rugged, and unmistakably rural. The collection features staple wardrobe pieces made for life in the country, including: Traditional Check Shir

Britain’s oldest brewer Shepherd Neame has revealed a fresh new look for one of its most iconic bottled ales, Bishops Finger.   First brewed in 1958, Bishops Finger was the first strong ale produced by the Faversham-based independent brewer and pub company following the end of 20 years of malt rationing.   The beer takes its name from an ancient Kentish signpost found on the Pilgrim’s Way that pointed travellers towards Canterbury and the shrine of Thomas à Becket in the city

Sunrise Beverages, which owns a portfolio of independent beer brands, has made a £100,000 investment into one of its breweries to enhance overall production capabilities and efficiencies.  Over the last four years Sunrise has acquired a number of brands with the aim of growing them whilst preserving their unique identities. In its bid to build opportunities for its brands and streamline production, it has now revealed a sizeable investment into Curious Brewery in Ashford. The

The leading hospitality charity, that already owns and operates three schools, has announced the acquisition of a site for a new specialist autism school, revenue from which will allow the Charity to support even more people working in licensed hospitality.  The Licensed Trade Charity (LTC) has announced the acquisition of a new location that will expand its specialist education provision for children and young people with a diagnosis of autism. The new site, in Waterlooville

Responding to the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Budget statement Ash Corbett-Collins, CAMRA Chairman said: “This is a dark day for UK drinkers, pubs and breweries. Instead of offering a bold package to save and support the UK's pubs, the Chancellor has chosen not to help with VAT, energy bills or Employer National Insurance contributions. Pubs and breweries can contribute to economic growth but only with proper support from the Government on sky-high costs which are making it

The Scottish Beer & Pub Association (SBPA) has responded the UK Chancellor’s Autumn Budget, saying that it does ‘very little to help’ and changes to business rates in England means the Scottish Government must act. Commenting, SBPA President Andrew Lawrence said: “This budget does very little to help Scotland’s pubs or brewers. The increase in beer duty will hit consumers directly, while the rise in the NMW will mean an extra bill of £25m for pubs. “The sector is already stru

The Chancellor’s budget has today dealt a devastating setback for BII member’s pubs, piling on financial pressure at the very moment the sector is striving to recover, grow, and continue serving at the heart of local communities. Despite being promised real and meaningful reform to the business rates system by the Chancellor, as a key way to deliver permanently lower bills for pubs and reduce the financial pressure they are under, the current 40% relief has been removed from

"Today’s Budget is a bitter blow for beer drinkers, community pubs, and small breweries. Instead of supporting a sector already under immense pressure, the Chancellor has chosen to increase beer duty on top of a raft of other tax rises. She had a real opportunity to build on last year’s progress by extending Draught Relief — a move that would have ensured beer sold in pubs carried a lower rate of duty — but she chose not to act.  It was however positive to see the Chancellor

Commenting on the government’s Autumn Budget, Chris Jowsey, CEO of Admiral Taverns, the leading community pub group with c. 1,350  pubs across the UK, said: Chris Jowsey, Chief Executive Officer at Admiral Taverns, said: "This was the Chancellor's opportunity to take meaningful action in order to drive growth and encourage investment into the hospitality industry. A sector which employs over one million people and contributes more than £34 billion each year to the UK economy

Hospitality operators must quickly put the disappointing Budget behind them, as well as accept high prices for some core Christmas products, warns hospitality purchasing specialist Lynx Purchasing. “The focus now needs to be firmly on working with suppliers to trade through the challenging first few months of 2026,” says Lynx Purchasing managing director Rachel Dobson. “For the most part, hospitality didn’t get the support it was looking for from Rachel Reeves’ Budget. While

The Guild of Food Writers Awards were established in 1996 and are presented in recognition of outstanding achievements in food writing and broadcasting. You do not need to be a member of The Guild of Food Writers to enter. You may nominate your own or someone else’s work. Full details of the 2026 Awards  are available here. A link to the online Awards entry form is available below. There is a separate entry form for each category which can be found by clicking on the relevant

VISITFLANDERS is delighted to announce that Yvan De Baets , co-founder of the iconic Brasserie de la Senne , will be one of the three featured guest brewers at its bar in this year's British Guild of Beer Writers Awards  dinner at Big Penny Social  on Thursday 27th November 2025.   Established in 2003 by Yvan De Baets and Bernard Leboucq, Brasserie de la Senne is has been credited with spearheading the contemporary craft beer movement in Brussels. The brewery is all about st

“Cost of living pressures are very real for people and we all want to see living standards rise. However, the responsibility of delivering wage increases are most felt by small businesses including small independent breweries who are already facing significant pressures. We have lost more than 100 breweries in the past year and more tell us they are on the edge. If they close there won’t be any jobs at all.  “Brewing is a skilled job and we want to encourage more young people

Greene King customers can now reserve a table and pre-book for live TV sports fixtures or their favourite in-pub games more easily thanks to a multi-million-pound digital upgrade to the booking system.   The enhanced booking journey has been redesigned to show clearer messaging and live, real-time availability. It has been rolled out across 1,600 Greene King managed pubs from this month and works on mobile phone, tablet and desktop. Bookings can be made through the Greene Kin

Backed by huge customer demand, the new merch lands just in time for Christmas gifting Manchester’s most iconic Irish pub, Mulligans , has announced the launch of its first-ever merchandise collection, allowing regulars and visitors to take a piece of the beloved pub home.  The line-up includes a beanie, hoodie, polo shirt, t-shirt, tote bag, and zip-up jacket, all in classic black and finished with the pub’s distinctive gold logo. Launching on Tuesday 25th November, the coll