Hopback Brewery is back in profit for the first time since Covid, with a pre-tax profit of £110,661 in the 12 months to 30th September, 2025.
There was turnover of £3,257,110, as against £2,918,995 in 2024. Gross profit increased by 26%.
“Whilst we are pleased with the turnaround in profitability this year, much to do with our pubs, the inflationary pressures will result in price rises at a time when there are other pressures on household finances,” said founder and director John Gilbert.
“However, the Albion in Winchester has proved to be a good investment, and the re-opening of The Duck, in Laverstock, under new tenants has also improved the estate’s profitability.
“Although we will continue to invest in the upkeep and improvements to the pub estate, we have no major outlay planned at present, and as we have at last made a small pre-tax profit we are confident that we remain a going concern. We are therefore considering recommending a small dividend.”
• The Welsh Parliament has voted in favour of the Deposit Scheme for Drinks Containers (Wales) Regulations 2026, underpinning the Welsh Deposit Return Scheme (DRS).
The regulations establish a DRS for in-scope drinks containers, including single-use closed bottles and cans made from plastic, steel, glass or aluminium, containing between 150ml and 3 litres of liquid, and supplied for consumption in Wales.
This means that, from 1st October, 2027, anyone supplied with a drink in these types of containers must pay a (refundable) deposit to the person who supplies the drink container. The deposit is refunded when the container is returned to a designated ‘return point’.
• J D Wetherspoon is to open two pubs at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona – El Prat airport. One will open in September, and the other in January next year. It follows the opening of a JDW pub Alicante airport last month. “We are delighted to have secured two fantastic sites at Barcelona airport,” said Wetherspoon chairman Sir Tim Martin. “In the short time since opening, our pub at Alicante airport has proven popular with travellers, and we are confident we can replicate that at our two new pubs in Barcelona.
“We aim to open a number of pubs overseas in the coming months and years, including those at airports.”
• Greene King has unveiled a 29,000 sq ft supply chain depot in Middleton, Greater Manchester. It will serve around 1,000 managed and free trade pubs in the North West.
It marks a £23m investment over the 15-year lease, in partnership with logistics provider GXO, to harmonise Greene King’s supply chain in the region. As many as 21,000 tonnes of drink and 11 million cases of food and GNFR (goods not for resale) will pass through the doors of the depot in a year.
The redevelopment of the Middleton site brings all elements of the supply chain, which were previously stored at three depots, under one roof. There are further benefits thanks to the installation of 63,500 sq ft solar panels, with the potential to generate a targeted 1.1m kWH per year.
The site has plans for a dedicated re-wilding area, featuring perennial wildflowers and native fruit trees aimed to encourage pollinator insects and local birds as part of Greene King’s biodiversity programme.
• Pub company Young’s has said it will move from AIM to the main market of the London stock exchange in April. Admission is expected on Tuesday, 28th April, at 8am.
• Krones AG has been named overall winner of the Microsoft Intelligent Manufacturing Award 2026, for digital industrial innovation. The award is presented annually by Microsoft and the strategy consultancy Roland Berger and recognises companies that set pioneering impulses for industrial value creation through digital solutions and new technologies.
