Archive for September, 2009

  • Pub in the Park Cancelled

    10.09.2009 / Category: News

    Disappointing ticket sales have prompted the cancellation of an open air festival designed to celebrate Britain’s Pubs.

    The festival was scheduled to take place 18th – 20th September in London’s Greenwich Park and would have featured acts including Paul Young and T’Pau. There would have also been dance troops, morris dancers and comedians performing at the Pub in the Park beer festivals.

    The following statement was released ;
    “It is with enormous regret that the directors of Pub in the Park have been left with no option other than to announce that this year’s Pub in the Park will not be going ahead. This is due to a combination of factors, including slower than expected ticket sales and the pressures bought on by this uncertain economic climate.”

    “Despite having invested significant funds, as well as investing two years of our lives and an enormous amount of effort into the planning of Pub in the Park we are left with no option than to cancel the event. All those have purchased tickets can be assured assure that they will all receive 100% refunds.”

  • Moorgate in Administration

    10.09.2009 / Category: News

    Moorgate Taverns has called administrators under advisement of Clydesdale Bank who hold a charge over their property assets.

    Moorgate Taverns, who are a subsidiary of ‘Pubs ‘n Bars’ operate a total of 10 freehold pubs along the south coast, Oxfordshire and Hertfordshire. The group has been trading at a loss recently, and due to falling valuations of its assets it has breached borrowing agreements with Clydesdale Bank.

    A statement read ;
    “There are no guarantees from Pubs ‘n’ Bars to Clydesdale in respect of Moorgate’s borrowings and the net effect on cash flow will be an interest saving of approximately £150,000 per annum by Pubs n’ Bars. The book value of the pubs as at 31st December 2008 was £8.03m and the debt is £7.08m.”

  • The Guinness Million

    07.09.2009 / Category: News

    Guinness owner Diageo has huge ambitions for this years ‘Arthur’s Day’, which arrives on September 24th and highlights 250 years of Guinness. Pubs and Bars across the UK will  be sent over 10,000 ‘party kits’ containing branded inflatable items and scratch cards with prize values of up to £250. Alongside there will be further promotions including the biggest text-in competition in the history of Guinness, prizes for this include trips to Dublin for the celebrations, and even a journey into space !

    On the back of strong sales last year, Diageo are aiming to sell an extra One Million pints of Guinness on the run up to, and during the Arthur’s Day celebrations.

    As we reported last month, Diageo’s other brands including Baileys and Blossom Hill have also been performing strongly in spite of the current economic climate.

  • Punch Taverns’ £17k Fine

    04.09.2009 / Category: News

    Punch Taverns have been fined £17,000 for two serious breaches of fire safety regulations at it’s ‘Barley Mow’ pub in London’s west end.

    Concerns were raised by the London Fire Brigade five years ago following a routine fire inspection, and Punch yesterday admitted legislation breeches. Specifics of the case included a danger to fourth floor residents due to their distance from the nearest fire exit which was also partially obstructed, and as a result a notice was served to the effect that the floor could no longer be used as accommodation. On a return visit in 2007, it was discovered that it’s use as accommodation had continued.

    Steve Turek, Assistant fire safety commissioner said ;
    “It is important all premises owners and operators have a fire risk assessment and even more importantly act upon its findings in a timely manner. The prohibition notice in this case was served to ensure the safety of people using the premises. Notices must be taken very seriously and followed explicitly.”

    In response to the incident, a Punch Taverns spokesman said ;
    “We take the safety of our employees and guests extremely seriously and would like to stress that this was an isolated incident that took place two years ago. Since then, we have made huge strides forward in our approach to health and safety. Through our Operational Excellence programme and the launch of the Be Safe, Be Legal, Be Compliant guideline we have strengthened our internal processes resulting in a dramatic decrease in the number of enforcement notices.”

  • Ramsay Pub Disappoints

    03.09.2009 / Category: News

    The news that Gordon Ramsay’s ‘Murano’ was voted London’s best new restaurant by Harden’s London Restaurant Guide was overshadowed by the fact that four of his other venues appear in the ‘top 10 most disappointing’ list.

    Among the venues in the list was Ramsay’s Warrington Pub in Maida Vale, coming in at the 9th most disappointing place to eat.

    The editor of the Harden’s guide said ;
    “Murano’s success shows the Ramsay group still has what it takes. The year’s survey results, though, confirm there are some very deep-seated problems in the group, and we have to hope that Murano’s success marks a real turning point.”

    At the other end of the scale, here are the Top 10 best pubs in London to eat ;

    • 1. The Anchor & Hope
    • 2. Churchill Arms
    • 3. The Gun
    • 4 ~ The Eagle
    • 4 ~ The Thomas Cubitt
    • 6. The Narrow
    • 7. Harwood Arms
    • 8. The Engineer
    • 9 ~ The Anglesea Arms
    • 9 ~ Bull & Last
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