Michelle Perrett

London

Journalist and Editor at Freelance

Freelance Journalist and editor specialising in the pub and leisure sectors. Views are my own!

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Articles

Stonegate sees boom in low and no alcohol beers and cider sales

3 days ago | morningadvertiser.co.uk | Michelle Perrett

The pubco revealed more than 271,000 units were sold across its 4,500 pubs and bars, compared to the same period in 2024, demonstrating a shift in consumer preferences. It revealed that London saw the most demand for alcohol free beers and ciders, accounting for more than a quarter of sales (27%) across the UK this year – with 25 to 34-year-olds driving most demand. This was followed by the North West (11%), South East (11%) and Yorkshire and Humber (11%).
Jeremy Clarkson: Owning a pub is ‘more stressful’ than running a farm

3 days ago | morningadvertiser.co.uk | Michelle Perrett

The TV presenter and journalist admitted there was a lot of things he has discovered about the industry since opening and running his pub, The Farmer’s Dog, near Burford in Oxfordshire. According to The Telegraph Clarkson revealed that in comparison to the daily running of Diddly Squat, his farm in the Cotswolds, operating his new pub had been worse for the nerves.
Consumer spending in pubs, bars and clubs reaches 16-month high

3 days ago | morningadvertiser.co.uk | Michelle Perrett

In addition, the number of transactions increased by 3.9%, the latest Barclays Consumer Spend report revealed. The report also revealed that the overall hospitality and leisure sector grew by 6.7% – the highest increase since 2023. Restaurants, cafes and bakeries also saw a boost in April with spend up by 8.1% and transactions up by 3.9%. Takeaways and fast food didn’t fare as well but did see spend up by 4.5% but transactions down by -1.8%.
Marston's installs solar at 120 pubs to secure energy prices

4 days ago | morningadvertiser.co.uk | Michelle Perrett

The company has partnered with renewable energy solutions provider Two Blues Solar and installer Nuvolt to deploy solar across the venues. The rollout started in January, with installation teams working across multiple sites to complete 10 systems per month. Each installation takes two to three weeks and it is expected that this initial rollout of 120 pubs will be completed by Q2 2026.
Greene King and Uiltje Brewing Company cask beer collaboration

4 days ago | morningadvertiser.co.uk | Michelle Perrett

Partnering with Netherlands-based Uiltje Brewing Company, the collaboration will see the Dutch beer Bird of Prey recreated as a seasonal cask aleBird of Prey is a 5.2% ABV fruity, hoppy IPA, said to be “full of citrus and tropical flavours”. The project began in 2024 when the two brewers discussed how they could adapt the beer as a cask edition.
Brits estimated to drink 1.7m pints in pubs on FA Cup match day

4 days ago | morningadvertiser.co.uk | Michelle Perrett

On Saturday 17 May at Wembley Crystal Palace and Manchester City will go head-to-head for the top football accolade. Payments provider takepayments conducted the research by analysing data, including the average price of a pint in the UK, average beer consumption and the viewership of the final in 2024, to calculate their estimations. Sport has always been recognised as a great football driver for pubs.
Monin Autumn/Winter Drinks Trends for pubs report 2024 to 2025

1 week ago | morningadvertiser.co.uk | Michelle Perrett

The Monin Autumn/Winter Drinks Trends report 2024 to 2025 said that customers are looking for treats, quality drinks and experiences. It also found there was a crossover between coffee and cocktails with consumers continuing with their “adventurous behaviour”. While classic cocktails are still key consumers are increasingly looking for innovative modern cocktails and new cocktail categories with different spirits and exciting serves.
Hospitality leaders welcome UK trade deals to US and India

1 week ago | morningadvertiser.co.uk | Michelle Perrett

Yesterday, the UK and US agreed a “landmark economic deal”, which covered a range of industries including steel, cars and agriculture. Concerns that the UK market would see the importation of products such as chlorinated chicken and hormone-fed beef were abated as it was revealed there would be no weakening of UK food standards on imports. There was an agreement for reciprocal market access on beef with UK farmers given a quota for 13,000 metric tonnes.
Slug & Lettuce celebrates 40 years

1 week ago | morningadvertiser.co.uk | Michelle Perrett

The bar brand, which was set up in 1985 and is now owned by Stonegate Group, has evolved dramatically since its debut and currently has 77 locations across the UK. The brand was set up by entrepreneur Hugh Corbett with the first site opening in Islington, North London in 1985. His new approach was ground-breaking for the time bringing a change from the traditional pubs to a more youthful, modern, and female-friendly design.
JD Wetherspoon sales up 5.6% in April 2025

1 week ago | morningadvertiser.co.uk | Michelle Perrett

The news comes as JDW boss Sir Tim Martin recently said that he would be “anxious” if there were any further increase in costs such as national insurance, minimum wage and business rates. In a trading update for the 13-week period to 27 April 2025 JDW revealed like-for-like sales increased by 5.6% compared to the same period last year, helped by favourable weather. In the year to date like-for-like sales increased by 5.1%.