Young's reports managed sales upswing > RE: Young's reports managed sales upswing

Young's are fortunate enough to have come late to the fantastically lucrative lure of the basic PubCo ethos and are in a position to back out of or refocus their aspirations of devolving all essential responsibility (bricks and mortar upkeep; employers' responsibilities; adhering to all incoming legislation; insurance liability; marketing; trade generation; i.e. all risk) for the fabric of their estate to long term lessees - as the big PubCos have done - They have a chance to stand as a traditional, paternalistic family brewer looking after tenants for the long term. But that would be too ehrm... boring for the shareholders. And I seem to recall - they aren't brewers any more. Are they? Que Raison D'Etre?
Mark Dodds 16/07/2008 00:07:45
5 Star Rating RE: Punch takes another share price tumble > RE: Punch takes another share price tumble

In 1997 or so I went to a 'PUBS IN PERIL' conference at the Horticultural Halls in Pimlico. About 300 tied licensees were there. The thrust of the conference was aiming to get the TIE made illegal on grounds of EEC Article 81. I was amazed to discover that many of them were tied for EVERYTHING - from beer to bog rolls - (and in my eyes, slaves) and still were saying 'we don't want the tie removed altogether, we want it to be fairer'. I thought the cause was doomed. And it was.
Mark Dodds 16/07/2008 00:06:52
5 Star Rating Punch imploding > Punch imploding

*STAR POST* of the day I say.
Mark Dodds 15/07/2008 23:57:42
5 Star Rating Majority of pubs fear the worst for next year > RE: Majority of pubs fear the worst for next year

This is effective INDEPENDENT research not skewed by BBPA or PubCo spin. It appears to show a more realistic picture.
Mark Dodds 15/07/2008 23:08:16
5 Star Rating RE: Former Marston's food supremo joins S&NPE > RE: Former Marston's food supremo joins S&NPE

Anyone been to a Marton's pub for food recently?
Mark Dodds 15/07/2008 23:08:07
5 Star Rating Former Marston's food supremo joins S&NPE > RE: Former Marston's food supremo joins S&NPE

I'm so excited! I look forward to Ben getting in touch soon to help with our food 'offer'. Well actually I look forward to ANYONE from S&NPE getting in touch sometime. Anytime. Just once in a while. Whenever. WHATEVER. Come on Gareth Evans I haven't seen you for ages. I suppose if the arbitrator goes with you I'll see your bailiffs pretty sharpish though. "The Company Has To Protect Its Assets" remember telling me that Gareth, the last time S&NPE sent the bailiffs in? - when someone at head office hadn't pressed the direct debit button on the rent account properly?
Mark Dodds 15/07/2008 22:57:55
5 Star Rating RE: Punch takes another share price tumble > RE: Punch takes another share price tumble

Edward! Very astute analogy. I've been looking at this for over a decade and you just NAILED it: "I look at the fear of them going under (as) akin to that weird condition demonstrated by hostages who bond with their captors". SPOT ON!
Mark Dodds 15/07/2008 10:02:16
5 Star Rating RE: Government losing support over beer duty hikes > RE: Government losing support over beer duty hikes

We agree. I am sure people here understand the size of the machine we are up against. Take a look at BBPA's annual accounts and that's just the thin end of the wedge that is between MIGHT AND RIGHT.
Mark Dodds 14/07/2008 19:38:49
5 Star Rating RE: Government losing support over beer duty hikes > RE: Government losing support over beer duty hikes

I really enjoy the BBPA's stance which implies that a 4p increase in duty with a continuing escalator is the final straw that has put thousands of British Pubs at threat of closure; on top of supermarkets selling the same beer as pubs for much less money and the smoking ban. Strange isn't it that so many thousands of pubs were already in such a precarious financial position that these events have precipitated an avalanche of closures. What financial foundations were these pubs built on? Partnership working hand in hand with the PubCos.
Mark Dodds 14/07/2008 10:58:16
5 Star Rating The MA forum > The MA forum

Gilbert Bank put this very succinctly: "My method of coping with vitriol is to ignore it. Post what you believe and ignore abuse. The truth is not very pleasant in this industry and I can't help feeling there may be an agenda to stop it coming out, starting here. Don't let it happen. Make your posts and bite your lip. What you have to say and share is more important than individual squabbles."