A round-up of stories and snippets from brewing and hospitality, and the latest business news in brief
Shepherd Neame has re-opened The Duke of York, in Southwark, London, following a major refurbishment. The historic pub, which dates back to around 1800, is now being run by experienced licensees Darren and Janet Wellman, who already run four other Shepherd Neame pubs in and around the capital.
General manager Lorenzo Nicoletti had worked in hospitality for a decade before joining the Wellmans at one of their other pubs, the grade II listed Cheshire Cheese, which was also refurbished at the beginning of last year.
• Carlsberg has reported “solid top-line and earnings growth” for the first half of 2026, with revenue up 2.6% to $7.3bn. While beer volumes fell 1%, there was “particularly strong growth for soft drinks and alcohol-free brews”.
“As a result of our disciplined cost focus, performance management, and faster-than-expected delivery of the Britvic synergies, we’re narrowing our full-year earnings guidance towards the upper end of the range,” said group chief executive Jacob Aarup-Andersen.
• The Licensed Trade Charity (LTC) has launched a new Wellbeing Platform in partnership with CiC, to give hospitality professionals easier access to expert advice, practical resources and support services. The updated platform has been designed to improve the user experience and help hospitality people find the guidance they need at the touch of a button.
An enhanced wellbeing library covers key areas including physical, social, emotional, career, financial, and legal wellbeing, with a range of dedicated advice and support articles. The platform also provides access to wellbeing programmes, a regular wellbeing pulse-check tool, advice on resilience, relaxation, and restoring mental wellbeing, and webinars covering key topics. There is a quick and easy route to LTC’s wider support services, including through live chat, too. Find out more here.
• BrewDog owner Tilray Brands is to cease brewing at the Terrapin Beer Co brewery in Athens, Georgia, as it consolidates operations. “Terrapin remains a beloved brand and continues to play an important role in our craft beer portfolio,” said a Tilray spokesperson. “Our commitment to the brand, its consumers, and the important role Terrapin continues to play within our portfolio remains unchanged.” It is not known where the beers will be brewed in the future.
• Amber Taverns has reported strong trading for the first half of it financial, and the appointment of Richard Lewis as its new chief executive. Like-for-like sales in the six months to 2nd August rose by 3.7%.
• Valiant Pub Group has acquired The Milton Arms, in Elsecar, Barnsley, from True North Brew Co. This is the third venue True North have sold. “This has not been an easy decision, but it is a necessary step to secure the long-term future of our company,” said True North owner Kane Yeardley.
• Greene King is putting a package of 65 pubs on the market, according to a trade press report. Propel understands that Sapient Corporate Finance is advising Greene King on the sale of the package, as part of a new strategy for the company.
• Punch has acquired two South West pubs, the Duke of Oxford, in Weston-super-Mare, and The Old Crow, in Bristol.
• Brewhouse & Kitchen chief executive, Kris Gumbrell, has become an investor in gluten-free low-calorie craft beer brand Lowrise Brewery.
