Today’s news in brief – 17/12/24

Sales of pints in December could generate turnover of around £1.4bn, says the BBPA. This comes as the association believes that almost 300 million pints could be sold in pubs in December. As a result, the beer and pub sector is expected to pour a total of £3.3bn in GVA into the UK economy. Alongside this, December could see the industry as a whole put £1.7bn in the Treasury’s coffers.

Liberation Group has revealed its plans to rebrand to Butcombe Group. The rebrand comes as, over the last seven years, the group has expanded its reach through organic growth and strategic acquisitions from Brains, Wadworth and Cirrus Inns. With the expansion and development of the pub estate having been focused on the South of England, this area now represents the group’s largest concentration of pubs. 

Pizza Express has named Colin Elliot its new CFO, effective in the new year. Elliot is currently a managing director at investment real estate firm CBRE, a position he has held since 2019. He has also worked for UK multisite hospitality businesses and brings “significant” operational and refinancing experience. In 2025, he is due to join the pizza chain’s board and leadership team, and will lead the finance and legal teams.