Latest news with #Marstons
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Nightclub trade shrinking as younger people stay at home instead
The UK's late-night economy is facing a downturn as younger generations increasingly opt for social media and home deliveries over traditional nights out, according to the head of one of Britain's largest pub and bar operators. While the hospitality sector anticipates a boost from the upcoming bank holiday weekend, family-oriented occasions like Mother's Day and Easter have been the primary drivers of increased footfall for many chains. Mitchells & Butlers, the group behind restaurant, pub, and bar chains including Toby Carvery, Harvester, All Bar One, Nicholson's, and Miller & Carter, has taken a different approach to other hospitality firms. Chief executive Phil Urban stated that the company will not seek expansion in the late-night market due to the significant challenges it presents. "The toughest part of the market right now is late night," Mr Urban told the PA news agency. He added, expressing relief at the company's limited exposure to the struggling sector: "We're certainly not exposed like pure, late-night operators are, so we're quite thankful for that." Last week, Marston's, which operates around 1,300 pubs across the UK, reported a rise in customers attributed to such events, highlighting a shift in consumer preferences. The company has also invested in a new sports pub concept to tap into the expanding market for sports-focused venues. Mr Urban said younger people were straying from previous generations who would be more inclined to 'go out late night and stay out'. 'I think social media means that you don't have to do that to stay in touch with your friends,' he told PA. The booming takeaway and home delivery market was also having an influence, he suggested, adding: 'People are often meeting beforehand to have something to eat, having a few drinks at home, before going out. 'So, those pure late-night, club operators, have certainly got a smaller market. 'We wouldn't go back into that sort of club market, it's not for us, because I do think it's going to take a long while to reverse – if it does.' He said all the company's brands were 'doing well', but that its Irish pub and bar chain O'Neill's was 'probably having the toughest time' due to its exposure to the night-time industry. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Nightclub market shrinking as younger people stay at home, says pub boss
The boss of one of the UK's biggest pub and bar operators has warned over a shrinking late-night market as social media and a home delivery boom has shifted younger people's attitudes to going out. Phil Urban, the chief executive of Mitchells & Butlers, said the group would not look to grow in that market because of the challenges it faces. 'The toughest part of the market right now is late night,' Mr Urban told the PA news agency. 'We're certainly not exposed like pure, late-night operators are, so we're quite thankful for that.' Mitchells owns restaurants, pubs and bar chains including Toby Carvery, Harvester, All Bar One, Nicholson's, and Miller & Carter. While hospitality companies will be hoping for a boost in spending over the bank holiday weekend, family-focused events like Mother's Day and Easter have been the driving force behind a jump in visitors for many chains. Last week, Marston's, which runs about 1,300 pubs in the UK, said such occasions were bringing in more customers, while it has recently invested in a new sports pub concept to capitalise on the growing market. Mr Urban said younger people were straying from previous generations who would be more inclined to 'go out late night and stay out'. 'I think social media means that you don't have to do that to stay in touch with your friends,' he told PA. The booming takeaway and home delivery market was also having an influence, he suggested, adding: 'People are often meeting beforehand to have something to eat, having a few drinks at home, before going out. 'So, those pure late-night, club operators, have certainly got a smaller market. 'We wouldn't go back into that sort of club market, it's not for us, because I do think it's going to take a long while to reverse – if it does.' He said all the company's brands were 'doing well', but that its Irish pub and bar chain O'Neill's was 'probably having the toughest time' due to its exposure to the night-time industry.
The Independent
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Nightclub market shrinking as younger people stay at home, says pub boss
The boss of one of the UK's biggest pub and bar operators has warned over a shrinking late-night market as social media and a home delivery boom has shifted younger people's attitudes to going out. Phil Urban, the chief executive of Mitchells & Butlers, said the group would not look to grow in that market because of the challenges it faces. 'The toughest part of the market right now is late night,' Mr Urban told the PA news agency. 'We're certainly not exposed like pure, late-night operators are, so we're quite thankful for that.' Mitchells owns restaurants, pubs and bar chains including Toby Carvery, Harvester, All Bar One, Nicholson's, and Miller & Carter. While hospitality companies will be hoping for a boost in spending over the bank holiday weekend, family-focused events like Mother's Day and Easter have been the driving force behind a jump in visitors for many chains. Last week, Marston's, which runs about 1,300 pubs in the UK, said such occasions were bringing in more customers, while it has recently invested in a new sports pub concept to capitalise on the growing market. Mr Urban said younger people were straying from previous generations who would be more inclined to 'go out late night and stay out'. 'I think social media means that you don't have to do that to stay in touch with your friends,' he told PA. The booming takeaway and home delivery market was also having an influence, he suggested, adding: 'People are often meeting beforehand to have something to eat, having a few drinks at home, before going out. 'So, those pure late-night, club operators, have certainly got a smaller market. 'We wouldn't go back into that sort of club market, it's not for us, because I do think it's going to take a long while to reverse – if it does.' He said all the company's brands were 'doing well', but that its Irish pub and bar chain O'Neill's was 'probably having the toughest time' due to its exposure to the night-time industry.
Daily Mail
13-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
LIVE BUSINESS LIVE: Unemployment hits 4.5%; Retailers enjoy warm weather; Marston's returns to profit
UK unemployment rose to 4.5 per cent in the first three months of the year, up from 4.4 per cent in the previous quarter and the highest since the third quarter of 2021, fresh data from the Office for National Statistics shows. The ONS also said average weekly earnings, excluding bonuses, rose by 5.6 per cent year-on-year over the first quarter, just under economist forecasts of 5.7 per cent but keeping the pressure on the overall rate of inflation. The FTSE 100 will open at 8am. Among the companies with reports and trading updates today are Marston's, IQE and Wickes. Read the Tuesday 13 May Business Live blog below. > If you are using our app or a third-party site click here to read Business Live 06:47 IoD: 'The business case for hiring has been weakened by a perfect storm' Alex Hall-Chen, principal policy advisor for employment at the Institute of Directors: 'Today's figures indicate declining employer demand for labour in the UK job market, with the number of payrolled employees decreasing on the month by 0.1% and vacancies falling by 42,000 on the quarter. 'The business case for hiring has been weakened by a perfect storm of last month's increased employer National Insurance Contributions and above-inflation increases to the minimum wage, alongside a wave of measures in the Employment Rights Bill which will make hiring staff riskier and costlier. 'If the government is to achieve its aim of an 80% employment rate, it must take urgent action to restore business confidence in hiring. We urge the government to support targeted changes to the Employment Rights Bill which would ensure that the Bill works for both businesses and employees.' Fall in payrolls and vacancies gathers pace as Rachel Reeves' NICs raid hits - with unemployment nudging up Fall in payrolls and vacancies gathers pace as NICs raid hits Numbers on payrolls were down 33,000 in April according to early estimates, having dropped 106,000 in the past year to 30.3million.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
One of Manchester's oldest Irish pubs could reopen by the end of the year
One of Manchester's oldest pubs could reopen by the end of the year according to the brewery that acquired it several years ago. Ancoats boozer The Shamrock, located on Bengal Street, dates back to 1808 and served the area for more than 200 years. However, in 2018 the pub's former landlord was left devested when Marstons, the brewery that owned it at the time, made the decision to close its doors. The venue was thrown a lifeline in 2019 when it was confirmed that Joseph Holt brewery had acquired it, with plans for 'considerable investment' and refurbishment. READ MORE: Beloved Manchester takeaway announces return after mysterious closure READ MORE: Greater Manchester rooftop restaurant with panoramic views celebrates winning top award It had been expected to open later that year, however the building remained tinned up with construction work going on around its premises ever since. When the M.E.N. contacted the brewery in early 2023, they confirmed that the pub was still expected to reopen but would no longer be an Irish pub and would be refurbished into a Joseph Holt's pub to give a "modern offering in keeping with some of the newer food and drink businesses moving into the area." Now, the brewery has said it is awaiting for plans to be approved with a tentative opening date also in the pipeline. Joseph Holt brewery marketing manager, Paul Longmire said: "Development plans for the Shamrock are now with the city planners following resident consultations and we are hoping the plans will be approved in the very near future. "If all goes well we are hoping to begin work on the development of this pub this year with a view to re-opening under a new name towards the end of 2025." When The Shamrock closed its doors seven years ago, then landlord Gerry Ellis, who had hoped to buy the pub himself, lamented the loss of 'the last traditional pub in Ancoats' at the time. The watering hole had become a gathering place for the area's Irish and Italian communities who made their homes in the neighbourhood. It was one of the last vestiges of old Ancoats, before the influx of restaurants and bars arrived to cater to the growing number of residential developments in the area.
