A round-up of stories and snippets from brewing and hospitality, and the latest business news in brief
Thornbridge have revealed that their recyclable Advent calendar is returning. This year it has a new snowscape design, inspired by the Peak District. “Crafted from fully recyclable cardboard, it showcases our continued commitment to sustainability, without compromising on style,” says the brewer.
• The Night Time Industries Association has welcomed chancellor John Healey’s first major economic speech, but warned that further tax increases would place already vulnerable sectors under even greater pressure.
“The night-time economy needs room to breathe,” said chief executive Michael Kill. “After almost six years of disruption, rising costs, and mounting tax burdens, the sector is now some 23,000 businesses lighter…
“Our sector is not asking to be protected from commercial reality. It is asking for a fair and stable operating environment in which viable businesses have the confidence to invest, employ people and grow.”
• EMBLER at the Chandlers Arms has opened in the Cotswold village of Epwell, bringing together Southern American live-fire cooking and craft beer. Co-founders Matty Cartwright (EMBER) and Harry Flockhart (The Chandlers Arms) have joined forces for the project, combining years of experience in hospitality with inspiration gathered from travels across America, as well as the Eastern Mediterranean and East Asia.
Matty and Harry will also brew their own cask ales exclusively for the pub. Using their small brewery in Warwickshire, the team will produce a house pale ale and best bitter. Sustainability is central to the brewery. The team incorporates surplus bread into the malt bill, helping to reduce food waste while creating distinctive, characterful beers.
• Stonegate Group is set to move another 100 sites from its managed to its leased and tenanted division, according to reports. The company is said to be going through a “transformation strategy”.
• This September, Proper Pubs will be donating 5p from every pint of Carling sold in pubs throughout its estate to local foodbanks across the UK. The initiative is part of Proper Pubs’ annual Heroes of Hunger campaign which seeks to fight food poverty across the UK. Last year, the campaign donated more than £15,000 and enough food to feed 1,300 people for a week to local food banks across the UK.
• Marston’s PLC has appointed SQE — an energy supply platform exclusively for industrial and commercial businesses — as its strategic electricity partner. The partnership will help Marston’s to reach a goal to expand access to renewable electricity, strengthen energy resilience, and improve cost control across its hospitality estate.
• Independent drinks wholesaler LWC Drinks has acquired Wigan Beer Company. As part of the agreement, Wigan Beer’s Keegan’s operation, in Holyhead, is now also part of LWC family.
• Cold draught pints are flowing once again in Falmouth’s largest beer garden, at Fives Cyderhouse. Hand-stretched pizzas topped with Cornish ingredients are being offered, alongside a cold pint of Healeys Rattler Cyder.
“With draught drinks available in the beer garden, a new food menu now launched and plenty of cold drinks waiting at the bar, it’s the perfect time to come along and see us,” said Laura Clerehugh, head of hospitality at Healeys Cyder. We’re incredibly proud of the team and can’t wait to welcome locals, students, and visitors throughout September and beyond.”
• Carlisle-based West Walls Brewing Co are expanding into the unit next door and hoping to have the space open by the end of the year. “Our vision for the space is it isn’t just a bigger taproom,” says the brewer. “It isn’t just more brewing capacity. It isn’t just a tank bar. It’s all of it, in one building, and it’s defiantly the most ambitious thing we’ve taken on.”
• London pub operator Market Taverns has promoted Miles Slade to the position of chief executive. Rising from managing director, he has previous experience at RedCat, Urban Pubs and Bars, and JD Wethersoon.
• The Thirsty Pine, a craft beer bar and live music venue in Gloucester, has closed. It opened in 2024, following conversion from a nightclub.
• The Beautiful Pubs Collective has added The Stamford Arms, Groby, to its portfolio. It was formerly an Everards pub.
