{"id":6300,"date":"2026-05-27T09:16:23","date_gmt":"2026-05-27T09:16:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/londondrinker.camra.org.uk\/wordpress\/?p=6300"},"modified":"2026-05-27T09:16:23","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T09:16:23","slug":"trade-news-may-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/londondrinker.camra.org.uk\/wordpress\/index.php\/2026\/05\/27\/trade-news-may-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Trade news – May 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Greene King sell off<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite seeing an increase in revenue in the year ending 4 January 2026 of 3.6% to \u00a32, 539 billion, GK are embarking on a restructuring which will involve the sale of a number of properties.\u00a0 This started in April with thirteen hotels and pubs with letting rooms being placed on the market.\u00a0 These are spread across the Midlands and the south of England, although none are in London.\u00a0 It was then announced that GK would be selling ten freehold pubs, again, none of which were in London.\u00a0 However, the true figure may be nearer 150.\u00a0 There are reports of the closure of a number of GK pubs in London.\u00a0 Identified so far are the Ballot Box<\/a><\/strong> (a \u2018Hungry Horse\u2019) in Greenford, the Railway<\/a><\/strong> also in Greenford, the Cornerstone<\/a><\/strong> in Kingston, and the Grade II-listed Old Dairy<\/a><\/strong> in Stroud Green. The Builders Arms<\/strong><\/a> in Barnet recently closed when the tenant left, the Masons Arms<\/a><\/strong> in Harlesden was sold off last year for redevelopment (see the Pub heritage and planning colum) and the Sutton Arms in Sutton has the lease on the market<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There may be more to come.\u00a0 GK have set up a new \u2018business unit\u2019 containing some 300 pubs whose futures are under review. \u00a0Some may be converted to leasehold, tenanted or franchise models while others will be disposed of.\u00a0 GK, who operate around 2,600 pubs overall, are owned by the Hong Kong-based conglomerate CK Asset Holdings and readers may recall that they are spending some \u00a340 million on a new brewery just outside Bury St Edmunds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to a report in CityAM<\/em> on 29 April, GK are \u2018driving efficiencies\u2019 by introducing an \u2018AI conversational assistant\u2019 to answer the telephones in a number of their London pubs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beefeater and Brewers Fayre to close<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whitbread have announced that they were leaving the \u2018branded restaurant\u2019 sector.  Of the 197 Beefeater and Brewers Fayre sites involved, 110 will be sold and the others converted into extensions to adjoining Premier Inn hotels, which they also own.  Whitbread\u2019s aim is to \u2018to drive a significant increase in both margins and returns that will fund substantial cash returns for shareholders<\/em>\u2019.  It is reported that the move will lead to the loss of some 3,800 jobs.  Mitchells & Butlers are reported to be in talks to acquire a small number of sites.  Only three of the outlets listed are in London.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wetherspoons news<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I suggested in the previous edition that JDW could be trying to open a pub at every one of the London railway termini.  They might also be trying to do the same thing with airports in Europe.  As previously mentioned, the first is at the Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernandez airport in Spain.  This will be followed by two pubs at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona \u2013 El Prat airport.  These outlets will be operated locally and will serve cask beer.  Meanwhile JDW are also opening a third pub at Heathrow Airport, this time in Terminal Two.  It will be named after Sir Frank Whittle, inventor of the jet engine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Results for the third quarter of JDW\u2019s financial year, the 13 weeks to 26 April, saw a 3.4% increase in sales but chairman Tim Martin has mentioned profit warnings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far this year, JDW has opened eight pubs, sold eight and opened 13 franchised outlets.  They have also purchased the freeholds of four of their previously leased pubs.  They currently operate 794 directly managed pubs and 21 franchises.  Three more pubs will open in London this year: at Paddington station, Charing Cross station and in Shaftesbury Avenue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I heard a wonderful suggestion recently on BBC Radio Four\u2019s News Quiz<\/em>, courtesy of Simon Evans.  Discussing a complaint from a new MP that too much drinking goes on in the Palace of Westminster, Mr Evans suggested that, given their reputation for restoring historic buildings, the site should be handed over to JD Wetherspoon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Young\u2019s news<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For its financial year ended 30 March, Young\u2019s have reported a 4.7% increase in sales.\u00a0 They expect their final results to be \u2018in line with management\u2019s expectations\u2019<\/em>.\u00a0 Young\u2019s have increased their estate by purchasing the Cubitt House pub company with eight pubs.\u00a0 These are listed in the pub information update column. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On 21 May Simon Dodd, Chief Executive of Young\u2019s, commented: \u201cI am delighted to announce another exceptional set of results, reflecting a record-breaking 12 months for the business. We achieved a significant milestone, surpassing half a billion pounds in revenue, with multiple pubs across the estate delivering record performances throughout the year.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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