BEFORE

Wednesday, 21 October 2026

The bar of a London pub with beer taps and chalkboard menus

Career story, 21 October

UKHospitality's Allen Simpson says a VAT cut is 'highly likely', just maybe not next week

The trade body's chief executive expects hospitality to win lower VAT at some point, but warned the Budget on 28 October may not deliver it.

Bottles and cans of beer in a shop's glass-door fridge

Career

Career story, 21 October

Molson Coors UK sales slip 4.2%, and it names the drift from pubs to supermarkets as a risk

The brewer's latest UK accounts show lower volumes and gross profit, with drinkers buying more of their beer to take home.

The bronze plaque for The Wolseley at 160 Piccadilly, London

Career

Career story, 21 October

The Wolseley Hospitality Group hires Laura Mills from The Ivy Collection as managing director

The owner of The Wolseley, The Delaunay and Brasserie Zédel has brought in a leader who rose from area manager to managing director at The Ivy Collection.

Career

Career story, 21 October

Alcohol-free on draught? Clean nozzles every night and keep it cold

A study of 90 draught alcohol-free beers found most were fine, but a chunk had high bacteria counts. Here's what keeps your pour in good shape.

The old Lloyds bank building on the corner of Grey Street, Newcastle

Casual

Casual story, 21 October

Newcastle gets two Ivys at once: a brasserie downstairs and The Ivy Asia upstairs

Both open in the old Lloyds bank building on Grey Street before the end of the year.

Shops and old buildings on Bridge Street, Morpeth

Casual

Casual story, 21 October

Newcastle's favourite Lebanese, The Bake, has opened in Morpeth

After Byker Bank, Gosforth and Eldon Square, the next Bake is at the Brick Club on Red Row, and the reviews so far are glowing.

A bartender shaking a cocktail behind a well-stocked bar

Casual

Casual story, 21 October

Manchester gets its first cocktail festival, 9 to 15 November, across more than 20 bars

Guest bartenders, one-off menus and tastings for drinkers, plus WSET and personal licence courses for people behind the bar.

Piccadilly Plaza and City Tower seen from Minshull Street, Manchester

Casual

Casual story, 21 October

The Mercure Piccadilly, Manchester's 1960s landmark hotel, has shut for a full refurb

The 208-room hotel above Piccadilly Gardens closed on 11 October and won't take guests over Christmas.