Punch Pubs has reported a strong performance in the last quarter, delivering £25.7m of underlying EBITDA for the 12 weeks ended 17th May, versus £24.3m in the similar period last year. For the 12 weeks ended 17th May, total revenue was £90.6m, compared to £83.4m in 2025.
The company said its strong profit growth stemmed from: growth in like-for-like estate driven by inflationary price increases and trade enhancing capex investment; growing profits from pubs transferred from leased and tenanted to Pub Partnerships; bolt-on acquisitions of single sites and small pub portfolios; and optimisation of the cost base from the completed £5.1m cost-saving plan identified in partnership with Deloitte.
• UKHospitality says the government’s announcement of apprenticeship and skills support will help unlock opportunities for young people, but stresses that reducing the tax burden on the sector is essential to maximising job creation.
“It is great to see the government act to give young people more opportunities and, as the biggest youth employer in the UK, hospitality businesses are key to delivering,” said Allen Simpson, chief executive of UKHospitality.
“The plan for free apprenticeship training for all eligible under-25s is particularly welcome and reflects the value of in-place work experience and training, something hospitality does brilliantly.
“However, to really move the dial, the unfair tax burden on hospitality needs to be reduced. A 10% VAT rate for hospitality will free operators to invest, create jobs, and drive economic growth.”
• An immersive technology and digital twin specialist has secured a £100,000 commercial loan under the British Business Bank’s Growth Guarantee Scheme.
The funding package will back an immediate recruitment drive and an upgrade to Apollo3D’s scanning equipment following a 30% surge in annual inbound enquiries, mainly from venues in the hospitality and events sectors.
The Yorkshire-based business, founded in 2017 by Mark Shepherd, creates detailed 3D digital replicas of physical buildings for sectors including hospitality, retail, healthcare, and facilities management. Its software and mapping technology are currently used across the UK and Europe by major organisations such as Greene King, Primark, Marks & Spencer, and the NHS.
The £100,000 capital injection will enable Apollo3D to expand its current 12-strong workforce by hiring seven new employees over the next 12 months.
• Turnover at Trust Inns hit a record £52,838,650 in the year ending 5th April, compared with £43,262,000 the year before. Pre-tax profit was up to £11m from £8m , while operating profit increased by £1.7m to £14.5m. This was through both organic growth and the acquisition of new sites.
