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A round-up of some of this week’s licensed trade news
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Trading “difficult” at Luminar
Nightclub operator Luminar, whose venues include Liquid and Oceana (pictured), has today (September 25) reported that trading is “difficult”, saying that rising levels of unemployment are hitting the group’s customers. In an update for the six months to August 17, it said like-for-like sales were down 4.5 per cent, footfall dropped 2.9 per cent and drinks revenue slumped by 6.6 per cent. Weekend admissions in particular were said to be below the management’s expectations, with overall sales down by 5.6 per cent in the 26 weeks.
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Sales rise at Mitchells & Butlers
Mitchells & Butlers, which operates about 2,000 bars and pubs including O’Neill’s and All Bar One, has reported better-than-expected results although it has warned that conditions are expected to be tough in 2010. Like-for-like sales were up 2.6 per cent in the 10 weeks to September 19, with growth of 5.8 per cent in food sales. For the 51 weeks to September 19, like-for-like sales were up 1.6 per cent and total sales rose 3.4 per cent. In a statement, the company said: “As a consequence of improved sales performance, the board expects earnings for the current year to be slightly above current market consensus estimates.”
Expansion for Grand Union Group
The Grand Union Group has announced that it is opening its 10th bar as part of expansion plans this year. The latest venue, under the name of Grand Union, will open in Camberwell Grove in south-east London in October. It
is already planning to revamp a pub acquired in Kilburn into a Grand Union for a December opening. The group’s target is to have 12 sites by spring 2010.
Punch puts 300 pubs up for sale
Punch Taverns has put 300 of its sites up for sale, warning that “a significant number” may be converted to residential and commercial use. Nearly all the pubs, which are part of the company’s turnaround division, are being sold as freeholds through property agent Christie & Co.
Buyers save Highgate Brewery
Highgate Brewery in the Midlands has been bought by two property developers after going into administration because of debts including unpaid excise duty of more than £1million. Simon Toon and David Dindol have acquired the Walsall business, which does not include any pubs, for £80,000. Its beers include Highgate Dark Mild and the Davenports range of ales.
Firmdale plans new luxury hotel
Firmdale Hotels, which operates the Soho Hotel, has announced it is to build a luxury £90million hotel on an undeveloped site in Soho, London, which is expected to include a top-end bar. The company, headed by Tim and Kit Kemp, has acquired Ham Yard site off Regent Street for £30million, according to The Times.
ALMR announces top operations managers
The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers has announced the winners of the Operations Managers Awards 2009.. Helen Cook of Novus Leisure and Jim Owthwaite of Punch Taverns have been named area manager and business development manager of the year respectively. The “rising star” award in the category of area manager went to Amber Wood of Novus Leisure.
Suntory buys Orangina
Soft drinks brand Orangina has been bought by Japanese drinks giant Suntory for €2.6billion from private equity companies Black
stone and Lion Capital.
Call to revive mandatory code
In a letter to The Times, a powerful lobby of organisations and individuals from the health sector and the police have called on the government not to delay the introduction of its proposed mandatory code on the sale of alcohol, which could ban promotions in the on-trade. Business Secretary Lord Mandelson last week indicated the code was likely to be shelved until at least 2011.
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Mark Ludmon
Editor
http://twitter.com/barmagazine
Product Selector
 Interactive seating
In the first stage of an ambitious programme to revolutionise the presentation of contract furniture, Hill Cross Furniture has launched a fully interactive banquette seating facility on its website which it claims is the first of its kind in the contract furniture arena. It features high-visual-impact 3D CAD drawings so customers can select an upholstery finish in a choice of 10 different colours in either soft fabric or leather.
Visit www.hillcrossfurniture.co.uk and select “
banquette seating” from the menu, or call 01325 378307.
 Cream Supplies adds Malmesbury Syrups to its range
Cream Supplies offers the UK’s widest selection of cocktail syrups, with over 200 varieties and flavours currently available and more being added every week. The latest addition is Malmesbury Syrups’ foodservice and bar selection, which is the only range entirely produced and processed in the UK. Flavours include banana, mint, chocolate, hazelnut, amaretto, vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, caramel and toffee, with a new chai flavour coming soon.
Call 0845 226 3024 or visit www.creamsuppli
es.co.uk.
Big Al’s boosts battle against recession
 With the licensed trade battling the effects of the recession, many licensees have turned to a range of high-cash-margin, frozen microwavable products to introduce food, or to extend their food service, and significantly boost profits in the process. Big Al’s pre-cooked, frozen beef burgers, chicken grills and BBQ pork ribsteaks feature a unique flame-cooked taste and appearance and can be prepared in seconds. With an average selling price of £2.50 for a Quarter Pounder with Cheese, the cash profit on Big Al’s is about £1.70.
For free samples, call 0800 652 6899 or visit www.bigalsflamecooked.co.uk.
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