Nikkie Thatcher

United Kingdom

Senior Reporter at The Morning Advertiser

Award-winning news editor @morningad. NCTJ qualified. All views expressed mine. Got a story? Tell me 01293 610388 or [email protected]

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Articles

Pubs celebrating VE Day

1 week ago | morningadvertiser.co.uk | Nikkie Thatcher

Last month (April), the Government announced licensing hours for pubs and bars on Thursday 8 May would be extended by two hours, meaning venues with a usual closing time of 11pm would be able to remain open until 1am, in a bid to allow people to continue their celebrations of the milestone. Similar extensions to pub hours have previously been used for major royal celebrations, such as the King’s coronation as well as significant sporting events including the Euro’s 2024 final.
Greene King Pub Partners 2025 Night of Excellence awards winners unveiled

1 week ago | morningadvertiser.co.uk | Nikkie Thatcher

Held this evening (Tuesday 6 May) at the Voco St. John’s hotel in Solihull, West Midlands, the awards were attended by hundreds. The 17 categories ranged from Community Pub of the Year to Pub Team of the Year, culminating in one venue being named Pub of the Year. The Star in Godalming, Surrey was the overall winner and also took home the title of Beer Pub of the Year.
BII on the hunt for new chair

1 week ago | morningadvertiser.co.uk | Nikkie Thatcher

Current chair Mark Robson is stepping down later this year following two terms in the position. Robson, who took up the role in 2018, has provided invaluable support to current CEO Steve Alton, who joined in 2019, and previous CEO Mike Clist, helping to shape the organisation into what it is today.
What do operators need to know about pavement licences?

2 weeks ago | morningadvertiser.co.uk | Nikkie Thatcher

What is a pavement licence? Granted by the local authority, a pavement licence allows the licence holder to place removable furniture over certain highways adjacent to the premises that application was made for, for certain purposes. When did things change? The temporary system brought in during the pandemic was made permanent from 31 March 2024.
Gallo’s £2m Barefoot marketing campaign ‘reflects ambitious goals’

2 weeks ago | morningadvertiser.co.uk | Nikkie Thatcher

The scheme has been backed by a £2m media campaign including a TV advert and in-store activations, which it aims to generation significant attention from. At the heart of the campaign is a 30-second TV spot for Barefoot Pinot Grigio. The new advert launched last weekend (Saturday 26 April) during ITV’s The 1% Club gameshow while it will also be seen across TV, video on demand, YouTube and social media.
Lucky Voice for Business reports positive results

2 weeks ago | morningadvertiser.co.uk | Nikkie Thatcher

Furthermore, the business reported enquiries have risen by more than half (52%) over the same period. While the group is primarily known for its chain of cocktail bars, which offer private room karaoke, Lucky Voice for Business provides software for operators to introduce private karaoke booths to their own venues. Operator partners include Tenpin, Bunny Jacksons, Firmdale Hotels and Big Fang Collective as well as the Prince of Peckham and Queen of the South.
‘We must ease up on red tape and delays, which are hammering sector’

2 weeks ago | morningadvertiser.co.uk | Nikkie Thatcher

With forecasters predicting this week is set to be the hottest of the year so far, Lord warned inaction from MPs could choke the hospitality sector at a critical time. He outlined that excessive red tape and delays to approving pavement licensing for venues risks undermining the boost in outdoor trade operators desperately need.
Where is the cheapest place for a pint in the UK?

3 weeks ago | morningadvertiser.co.uk | Nikkie Thatcher

The data, which was analysed by small business comparison site Bionic, showed the average price of a pint in Burnley was £2.50 whereas in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, the cost was £6.10. While Burnley was the cheapest, nearby Bury was in second place at £2.75 as was Gloucester while St Helens in Merseyside and Harlow in Essex both had pints priced at £3.
Marston's launches local sports pub concept

3 weeks ago | morningadvertiser.co.uk | Nikkie Thatcher

The group will be refurbishing selected existing sites that are focused on local sports and charities in their communities. The first pub is the Gospel Oak, Tipton, in the West Midlands, which opened over the Easter bank holiday weekend (Saturday 19 April). It is set to celebrate its new look with an exclusive event and Q&A with football legend John Barnes on Thursday 24 April.
Punch Pubs & Co acquire four Everards pubs

3 weeks ago | morningadvertiser.co.uk | Nikkie Thatcher

The Old Kings Head in Long Buckby, the Paget in Loughborough, the Cricketers in Leicester and the Dog & Gun in Whetstone have joined Punch’s leased and tenanted estate. According to the business, the latest deal supports its ambition to grow its estate through quality acquisitions, bringing its total acquisitions for the current financial year to 13.