Punch Taverns takeover: Heineken and pub entrepreneur Alan McIntosh in bidding war December 15, 2016 Punch Taverns is in the midst of a takeover tussle between Heineken and Alan McIntosh, an entrepreneur who was one of the pub company’s founders. Shares in Punch soared as news of the two approaches emerged, ending the day nearly 38 per cent up at 177p. Yesterday morning, City A.M. revealed that McIntosh has tabled [...]
Last Week in the City: Amazon buys a pharmacy June 29, 2018 Garry White, chief investment commentator, looks at the market-moving events that have shaped the UK equity markets this week (25 to 29 June 2018). The FTSE 100 traded little over the week, despite a rally in oil prices. There was more bad news from the retail sector after The John Lewis Partnership warned on profits [...]
Did marketers bring it home during the World Cup July 16, 2018 YESTERDAY’S final was an exciting finale to football’s greatest competition, even after the heartbreak of England losing last week’s semi-final. While France are this year’s champions, the Three Lions will have another shot at glory in four years’ time. This year’s tournament has sparked excitement in jaded fans like, well, myself. But while the football [...]
World Cup 2018: Did brands and advertisers score a hat-trick or an own goal? | City A.M. July 16, 2018 Yesterday’s final was an exciting conclusion to football’s greatest competition, even after the heartbreak of England losing last week’s semi-final. While France are this year’s champions, the Three Lions will have another shot at glory in four years’ time. This year’s tournament has sparked excitement in jaded fans like, well, myself. But while the football [...]
Fever-Tree’s audacious success has taken the drinks industry by storm, but where do they go from here? September 20, 2018 A few weeks ago, Jake Meyer became only the 10th Briton in history to reach the summit of Pakistan’s K2 mountain. How did he celebrate this towering achievement? He cracked open a tiny bottle of Bombay Sapphire gin then poured it into a Fever-Tree branded glass, topped up with its signature Indian tonic water. Apparently, [...]
Fever-Tree’s audacious success has taken the drinks industry by storm, but where do they go from here? September 20, 2018 A few weeks ago, Jake Meyer became only the 10th Briton in history to reach the summit of Pakistan’s K2 mountain. How did he celebrate this towering achievement? He cracked open a tiny bottle of Bombay Sapphire gin then poured it into a Fever-Tree branded glass, topped up with its signature Indian tonic water. Apparently, [...]
Greg Clark writes that Pubs Code Adjudicator appointment process should not be reopened November 16, 2016 Business Secretary Greg Clark has written a response to Iain Wright, Chair of the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee, saying he disagrees with the committee’s view that the appointment process for the Pubs Code Adjudicator should be reopened. Wright's letter from 21 July argued that Clark should reopen the appointment process, stating that current adjudicator Paul [...]
Greene King pubs report challenges are ahead despite revenue bubbling up to record levels November 30, 2016 Record revenue was reported in Greene King's interim results, but shares fell in morning trading and analysts warn of a hangover. The figures Adjusted profits before tax rose 14.6 per cent to £139m, and adjusted earnings per share were up 4.3 per cent to 36p for the pub company. Like-for-like sales increased 1.3 per cent, which was ahead of the [...]
Deltic Group posts a loss but refurbishment and sales pushes increase admissions December 11, 2017 Bar and club operator Deltic Group reported a loss for the year to February this year, but regained some ground during quieter periods with its drinks offers. The results predate Deltic’s aggressive move into M&A this year, when it faced off Stonegate in a bidding war for Revolution Bars and eventually bought a stake in [...]
Spitfire owner lands five new pubs and draws down £25m from lenders November 29, 2016 The brewer best known for its Spitfire ale has agreed to splash-out £12m for five high-end Kent boozers. Shepherd Neame will buy Village Green Restaurants from Alex and Helen Bensley, who run the pubs in and around the garden of England. The five premises are no slouches, raking in an average of more than a million pounds of [...]