A round-up of industry news from Bar magazine

C&C buys ciders from Constellation C&C Group has today announced plans to acquire the UK cider business of Constellation Brands – The Gaymer Cider Company – for £45million. The UK cider portfolio includes the brands Blackthorn, Olde English and Gaymers, which will sit alongside C&C’s other ciders such as Magners and Irish brand Bulmers. C&C this year also acquired the Tennent's beer brand. Tony O’ Brien, Chairman of C&C said: “The acquisition of The Gaymer Cider Company provides us with established and well invested brands. The acquisition enhances our product portfolio, creates operating synergies and delivers value for our shareholders.” The deal also includes the cider production facility at Shepton Mallet, Somerset, and its Bristol warehouse.

RCapital buys 28 bars and nightclubs Investment company RCapital, which is turning around restaurant chain Little Chef, has acquired 28 bars and nightclubs from 3D Entertainment Group through a company voluntary agreement (CVA). The venues are managed by Scottish nightclub operator Helena Leisure, which runs clubs in Scotland and the north of England.  The deal has saved 28 bars and nightclubs, along with 340 jobs. RCapital invested £800,000 in exchange for 26 per cent of the equity. Luminar Group is a major shareholder in 3D Entertainment. Like-for-like sales up at M&B Mitchells & Butlers has reported that like-for-like sales across its bars, pubs and restaurants has risen despite a fall in profits. The group, which operates chains such as Browns, All Bar One and O’Neill’s, said that revenue r ose by nearly three per cent from £1.91billion to £1.96billion in the year to September 26. However, pre-tax profits fell by nearly 24 per cent to £134million during the same period. The group’s total like-for-like sales rose by an average of 1.6 per cent, with like-for-like drink sales up 1.8 per cent and food sales by 3.1 per cent. The pubs and bars division increased revenue by 0.4 per cent to £958million while operating profit fell nearly 10 per cent to £159million. Read more BBPA launches tax-cutting manifesto The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has launched a manifesto in its fight to cut the high level of taxes in the on-trade. Its new six “core principles” include calls for a lowering of the tax and regulatory burden on pubs and beer, such as a reduced rate of VAT on bar sales and restaurant food. Instead of bringing in new codes and restrictions, the government should enforce existing laws properly, the BBPA manifesto states. It also calls for more recognition of the on-trade’s role as the place for responsible, social drinking. Read more Venus buys Wine Rack name and stores Venus Wine & Spirit Merchants, a leading wholesaler to the on-trade, has bought the Wine Rack trading name and 14 stores from failed retail group First Quench. They will be run through a new company headed by Venus chairman Laki Christoforou and James Rackham, chairman of Emporia Brands. Venus already owns wine and spirits shop Gerry's in So ho, London. Profits and sales rise for Britvic Soft drinks giant Britvic, whose brands include Pepsi and J2O, credits a rise in annual profits and sales to consumers switching to lower-cost well-known brands in a recession. In the year to September 27, turnover was up nearly six per cent to £978.8million and pre-tax profit was up 23 per cent to £86.5million. The company also noted that the decline in soft drinks in the on-trade has slowed. The UK market for cola went up 3.3 per cent by volume and 3.5 per cent in value in the year. Pepsi increased its market value share by 0.5 percentage points. Read more Organisations plan fewer Christmas parties this year Fewer employers are holding staff Christm as parties this year, according to the Chartered Management Institute’s annual Christmas Outlook survey. Although 66 per cent still plan to host events, the proportion has dropped for the second year in a row and fallen from a height of 86 per cent in 2002. A growing number of organisations also refuse to pay for seasonal celebrations.  This year, 39 per cent will make no financial contribution to Christmas celebrations, up five per cent on last year, and an increase from 32 per cent, in 2005. Pub operator goes into administration Mercury Inns, the operator of seven pubs in the Midlands, has been placed in administration.  Administrators from BDO Stoy Hayward are overseeing the pubs while buyers are being sought. Global contract caterer profits despite recession Contract caterer Compass Group, which operates bars and restaurants, reported a 37 per cent rise in pre-tax profits in the year to September 30 d espite the impact of the economic downturn on its businesses around the world. Sales volumes fell by six per cent in the last three months of its financial year but its annual figures were bolstered by cost cutting, a week pound and new business wins. BrewDog produces world’s strongest beer Scottish brewer BrewDog has announced it is to produce the world’s strongest beer at 32 per cent ABV, designed to be drunk in whisky-sized nips and supplied with its own resealable stopper. Named Tactical Nuclear Penguin, the new brew beats the 31 per cent ABV beer Schorschbraer. A limited run of 500 330ml bottles are being produced, retailing at £30 each, and will be sold only online and at two off-licences in Edinburgh and London. Read more Bill proposes relaxation of live music rules A new private members bill has been tabled in the House of Lords to amend licensing laws to relax the rules around live music in bars and pubs. Liberal Democrat peer Lord Clement-Jones’ Live Music Bill has received a reading in the House, setting out plans to offer exemptions to venues with a capacity of 200 or less. It also proposes restoring the “two in bar” rule where performances of one or two people do not need licensees to apply for permission. Clement-Jones tabled a similar private members bill in July but it ran out of time before the end of the parliamentary timetable.

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