Heineken-owned pubs group faces probe over eviction threat Hospitality One of the UK’s biggest pub chains is facing a potential probe by the UK’s pubs watchdog after it threatened to evict one of its London tenants. Star Pubs, which operates more than 2,000 sites across Britain and is owned by Dutch brewing titan Heineken, has been told it will be referred to the Pubs [...]
The real winner of the Fifa World Cup? Beer Sport Business Whatever happens in Sunday’s final, one World Cup winner is already clear: beer. For generations, football fans around the world have gathered at their local, celebrating victories and consoling one another after defeats with a pint in hand. Beer does not simply accompany football, it transforms watching a match into a shared experience. This summer’s [...]
James Watt eyes entire Brewdog UK business in comeback swoop Hospitality James Watt’s shock comeback bid for Brewdog would see him take control of the craft beer firm’s entire UK and Australian operations, Morning Wire has learned. The Scottish entrepreneur, who co-founded Brewdog, has proposed to buy back the company’s entire operations excluding its US arm. Watt’s bid marked a new twist in the dramatic Brewdog [...]
Brewdog owner shrugs off James Watt takeover bid July 15, 2026 The owner of Brewdog has insisted the company is “not for sale” after co-founder James Watt launched a dramatic takeover bid for the craft beer firm. Irwin Simon, boss of Brewdog’s US owner, Tilray, told Morning Wire he intends to retain the pub chain and brewery just hours after Watt said he had submitted a [...]
James Watt offers to buy back Brewdog July 15, 2026 Brewdog founder James Watt has launched a bid to regain control of the craft beer firm he founded, just months after it was bought by a US rival. The Scottish entrepreneur said on Wednesday that he has submitted a formal offer to buy Brewdog from Tilray Brands, the US cannabis and craft beer firm which [...]
Pubs to pour five million extra pints during England v Norway World Cup clash July 10, 2026 Pubs are set to score their biggest boost yet for the World Cup when they pour more than five million extra pints during England’s game against Norway this Saturday. As many as 5.5m more pints will be served to thirsty England fans while the Three Lions face off in the quarter final in Miami, bringing [...]
Brewdog chief executive quits after only one year July 1, 2026 The boss of Brewdog has stepped down barely more than a year after taking up the role in the latest twist in the long-running saga over the management of the beleaguered beer business. James Taylor, who took up the role of chief executive at the beginning of last year and who oversaw the takeover of [...]
‘Reason to be optimistic’: Hospitality bosses say World Cup a lifeline for pubs June 9, 2026 Pub bosses are hoping for a much-needed boost from the World Cup this summer, as the hospitality industry warns of a crushing tax and cost burden. Leading pub chains Greene King and JD Wetherspoon have told Morning Wire they are hoping for a “useful boost” to counteract the “layering of costs” they have faced in [...]
James Watt: I want to buy back Brewdog June 8, 2026 Brewdog founder James Watt has revealed he wants to buy back the craft beer firm he quit years ago, as he hit out at those who blame him for its collapse. Watt recently launched a comeback designed to win over the “equity punks” who piled millions into his initial venture but saw no returns from [...]
How Young’s is shrugging off hospitality gloom June 3, 2026 Like many of his Square Mile customers, Young’s boss Simon Dodd knows how to schmooze with booze. Three years ago, the listed pub chain exec invited rival Clive Watson, the founder of City Pub Group, for lunch at Smiths, the top-notch bar and grill atop Smithfield market, for a steak and a glass of wine. [...]