Latest news with #Whitbread
Spectator
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Spectator
The bitter end of bitter
'Another pint of bitter, love, when you're ready.' To those of a certain age the request slips off the tongue like the opening line of a sonnet. A pint of bitter is as English as the first cuckoo of spring or the last rose of summer. It brings to mind a pub, the people in it, and that social phenomenon which binds us to those we trust – the round. And, of course, one pint may lead to another. Television adverts used to be full of jolly pint-swillers. Whitbread 'Big Head' Trophy Bitter was 'the pint that thinks it's a qua-art'. Tetley of Leeds, a big player in those days, introduced viewers to their 'Bittermen', with the declaration: 'You can't beat 'em.' Bitter, more than its maltier cousin mild, was the favoured hoppy drink of the pub before the tasteless brute lager swaggered into our taverns. Sometimes, particularly in the north and Midlands, the two went together in a single beaker – though if you try telling the tale of 'mixed' to the hipsters of Camden Town, you might get some funny looks. The trendy modern toper prefers to take his ale from a barrel marked 'craft', as though the indentured brewers of previous decades hadn't the foggiest. Their successors, terrified by the prospect of being behind the times, are running scared. The Wye Valley Brewery, responsible for the superb Butty Bach, has decided to 'rebrand' its best bitter as Pyoneer. Although they insist the change is a way of honouring native traditions – Canon Pyon being the village where the brewery has its roots – a spokesman rather gave the game away by referring to the hunt for 'a new demographic'. We know what that means. Out with the woolly jumpers; in with bucket hats. So fare thee well, bitter beer. It was lovely knowing you. These days, if you promise to behave, you may be passed off as 'amber ale', which, strictly speaking, is true. Sometimes your dance card says 'pale ale', which is more or less true. Bitter and pale ale have always worn each other's clothes – like those hipsters in Camden. Landlord, the world classic brewed in Keighley by Timothy Taylor, is designated a pale ale. Their best bitter has for some years been called Boltmaker – and jolly good it is, too. There is no time for tears so long as brewers offer regulars such sapid stuff. London Pride, the jewel in the crown of Fuller's of Chiswick, is also promoted as an amber ale. There was a deliberate change of tone when Asahi, the Japanese brewers, bought the company six years ago – and you can still get Pride worth a gargle. The Red Lion in Barnes, a white-walled fortress with a garden, is a good place to satisfy your curiosity. But the foreign invasion, represented in part by the rise of those overrated craft beers, has claimed some notable victims. Later this year, the Banks's Brewery in Wolverhampton, which has pleased Black Country boozers for 150 years, will close its doors. Their mild is justly famous so this is a real deprivation. The carve-up of regional brewers by multinational corporations has changed the culture of drinking habits in a land known for its range of ales The carve-up of regional brewers by multinational corporations has changed the culture of drinking habits in a land known for its range of ales. Jennings of Cockermouth and Ringwood of the New Forest are merely the latest brewers to join the likes of Boddingtons in the taproom of history. Who ever thought 'Boddys' could go? It was as much a part of Manchester folklore as rain in July and the gay village. Well, the palace next to Strangeways Hotel, where they brewed what beer guides called 'a distinctive straw-coloured bitter', was pulled down 20 years ago. It can be difficult to keep up with developments. Draught Bass is now brewed under licence by Marston's. It is one of the great beers, characterised by the red triangle – the UK's first registered trademark – that appeared in Manet's Bar at the Folies-Bergère. Is it a bitter, or a pale ale? It doesn't really matter – though you might be stretching the tolerance of Burton folk to call it an amber ale. Sitting outside the Swan Inn at Milton last week, six miles from the brewery, it was possible to close one's eyes and pretend the cataclysm hadn't happened. There are still corking beers to be supped. Bateman's of Wainfleet, Holt's of Manchester, Batham's of Brierley Hill, and Woodforde's of Norwich won't let you down. And there are plenty of local breweries giving it a go without having to pretend they've 'gone craft'. Is there an outstanding candidate? There most certainly is. If we put Landlord to one side, for the sake of argument, then Harvey's Sussex Best of Lewes lands the strongest punch. 'Sussex Best Bitter', to put a proper handle on the jug, must be considered the champion. At the Express Tavern on Kew Bridge you may find this great ale, which has been sluicing through their pumps for 105 consecutive years. There is no excuse for not popping in to see how they are getting on.
BBC News
2 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Trade body wants Liverpool 'tourist tax' pause during appeal
A trade body which represents the hospitality industry said a so-called "tourist tax" on hotel guests in Liverpool should not be levied while an appeal against the plan is being £2-per-room per-night charge was introduced on Sunday after it was approved in a ballot by hotels which are part of the city's Accommodation Business Improvement District (ABID).The aim of the fee, which is officially known as a "visitor charge", is to raise money to support Liverpool's visitor scheme is facing a challenge from Whitbread plc, which owns the Premier Inn chain of hotels. Whitbread has not publicly revealed the reasons for its opposition to the charge. Trade body UKHospitality said it had written to Liverpool's ABID to suggest the introduction of the charge be paused for eight weeks, pending the appeal outcome.A spokesperson said: "UKHospitality is clear that as these decisions are made, the ballot process must be fair, timely and transparent."We have been made aware of an appeal against the Liverpool Accommodation BID and we have therefore written to the BID with a suggested eight-week delay to its introduction to allow for the appeal to run its course." 'Not a tax' Bill Addy, chief executive of the Liverpool BID Company, which manages the Accommodation BID, suggested using the phrase "tourist-tax" was not helpful. He said: "This is not a tax. Local authorities raise taxes, central government raises taxes. "This visitor charge is an industry-led effort to boost the visitor economy, to have a say in how the hospitality sector is supported, and tackle the challenges it faces. "This has been a process entirely guided by the private sector board of hoteliers – who are using Business Improvement District legislation to make a difference for their industry and their city."Mr Addy added: "It's in the very DNA of Business Improvement Districts to support business and make cities thrive, and this is at the heart of this. "It isn't a political issue, it's far more important than that." The government has told the BID there was no requirement to pause the collection of the levy while the appeal process is considered. Were the Secretary of State to declared the results of the earlier ballot void, money raised would be returned to everyone who paid it. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Hotel group challenges city's 'tourist tax'
A major hotel group is challenging a £2 "tourist tax" charge added to overnight stays for visitors to Liverpool. Whitbread, which owns Premier Inn, said the visitor levy which came into force on Sunday should be voided. The charge was voted for by members of the city's Accommodation Business Improvement District (ABID) in a ballot earlier this year. Of the 83 hotels in Liverpool who were asked, 59% (26) were in favour, on a turnout of 53%. The levy is mandatory for all hotels in the city above a certain rateable value, regardless of whether they took part in the ballot or whether they opposed the charge. According to the ABID, a £2 city charge per room per night could bring in over £9m pounds over two years, to support the visitor economy. However, the idea has had its critics. Whitbread chief executive Dominic Paul has said that hotels, restaurants and bars were being held back by higher labour costs and faced additional burdens from possible surcharges on overnight accommodation. Writing in The Times, he said the hospitality industry "finds itself on the receiving end of a series of government interventions which together will significantly hold back our ability to contribute to growth". The government has confirmed it had received a request from Whitbread for the ballot result to be voided. Liverpool City Council said it was confident the ballot was conducted according to legal requirements, but will look at the concerns raised by the challenge by the deadline of 24 June. A minister will consider the response in determining whether the ballot should be declared void. The government said hotels could continue to collect the cash from visitors, pending the outcome of the challenge, but visitors would be refunded if it is successful. The challenge comes as regional mayors, lead by Liverpool City Region's Steve Rotheram, have asked government to devolve powers to raise such taxes at local level, rather than via a BID ballot which is the only means available at the moment. Harry Doyle, Liverpool City Council's cabinet member for health, wellbeing and culture said Whitbread's challenge "reinforced the council's position and that of the mayors that visitor levies would benefit from a new national arrangement, established under the proposals for devolution." He added: "The case for a visitor levy has been made and is being advocated across the UK." The BBC has contacted Whitbread for comment. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Hotel group challenges Liverpool's 'tourist tax'
A major hotel group is challenging a £2 "tourist tax" charge added to overnight stays for visitors to which owns Premier Inn, said the visitor levy which came into force on Sunday should be charge was voted for by members of the city's Accommodation Business Improvement District (ABID) in a ballot earlier this the 83 hotels in Liverpool who were asked, 59% (26) were in favour, on a turnout of 53%. The levy is mandatory for all hotels in the city above a certain rateable value, regardless of whether they took part in the ballot or whether they opposed the charge. According to the ABID, a £2 city charge per room per night could bring in over £9m pounds over two years, to support the visitor the idea has had its chief executive Dominic Paul has said that hotels, restaurants and bars were being held back by higher labour costs and faced additional burdens from possible surcharges on overnight in The Times, he said the hospitality industry "finds itself on the receiving end of a series of government interventions which together will significantly hold back our ability to contribute to growth". Concerns raised The government has confirmed it had received a request from Whitbread for the ballot result to be City Council said it was confident the ballot was conducted according to legal requirements, but will look at the concerns raised by the challenge by the deadline of 24 June.A minister will consider the response in determining whether the ballot should be declared government said hotels could continue to collect the cash from visitors, pending the outcome of the challenge, but visitors would be refunded if it is challenge comes as regional mayors, lead by Liverpool City Region's Steve Rotheram, have asked government to devolve powers to raise such taxes at local level, rather than via a BID ballot which is the only means available at the Doyle, Liverpool City Council's cabinet member for health, wellbeing and culture said Whitbread's challenge "reinforced the council's position and that of the mayors that visitor levies would benefit from a new national arrangement, established under the proposals for devolution."He added: "The case for a visitor levy has been made and is being advocated across the UK."The BBC has contacted Whitbread for comment. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Daily Mail
27-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Premier Inn owner Whitbread appoints Severn Trent boss as new chairwoman
Premier Inn owner Whitbread said the chairwoman of water company Severn Trent will replace Adam Crozier as its next chair. Sky News reported earlier this month that Christine Hodgson was the preferred candidate to succeed Crozier, who has chaired Whitbread for the past seven years. Hodgson became chair of Severn Trent in 2020 after spending over two decades at information technology group Capgemini, where she was chief financial officer and executive chair. She has also been a non-executive director of banking giant Standard Chartered and betting firm Ladbrokes. During her tenure at Severn Trent, the company became the first FTSE 100 group to have women holding the positions of chief executive, chair and chief financial officer at the same time. However, it has come under intense scrutiny over its environmental record, just like the rest of Britain's water industry. The Environmental Agency fined Severn over £2million in 2024 for illegally spilling around 260 million litres of sewage into the River Trent. That came three years after the group was slapped with a £1.5million fine for illegal discharges from four of its treatment works in Worcestershire between February and August 2018. Severn Trent has committed £15billion over the coming five years towards improving infrastructure while keeping water bills the second-lowest in England. Richard Gillingwater, senior independent director at Whitbread, remarked: 'We have conducted a thorough process, and it was evident that Christine will be an outstanding successor to Adam. 'Christine's experience working with high-profile consumer and technology businesses will be hugely valuable over the coming years.' Under Crozier, Whitbread struggled through the Covid-19 pandemic as stringent travel restrictions wrecked demand for hotel stays but saw trade recover following the end of lockdown curbs. The London-based firm is undertaking a £500million investment that includes plans to operate 98,000 hotel rooms by 2030, partly by converting some restaurants into accommodation. In the year to 27 February, Whitbread's pre-tax profits declined by 19 per cent to £368million following the closure of several underperforming branded restaurants. Yet the company declared it was on track to score at least £300million in extra adjusted pre-tax profits by 2030. 'It has been a privilege to lead the Whitbread board through this period of growth and change,' said Crozier. 'I'm proud that as I leave the business, we are on course for Premier Inn to become Europe's number one budget hotel business.' The Scottish-born boss has an extensive corporate career, having previously been chief executive at ITV, the Royal Mail, the Football Association, and Saatchi & Saatchi. Whitbread shares were 1.4 per cent higher at £28.37 on Tuesday morning but remain around 5 per cent down since the year started.
