Today’s news in brief – 18/02/25

The BBPA has called for urgent government action as nearly 300 pubs closed in 2024 – an equivalent of six a week and more than 4,500 job losses alone. The regions that suffered the most were London at 1%, followed by the East Midlands and West Midlands, with 0.9% closures. Over the last five years, there were more than 2,250 pub closures, with the number of pubs falling from 47,613 at the start of 2019 to 45,345 at the start of 2024.  

Costa Coffee will be increasing pay rates by 5% from 1 April for over 15,000 team members in its 1,500 UK company-owned stores following an £8m investment. This means that the starting national pay for Costa’s baristas will rise to £12.60 per hour from £12 per hour. Meanwhile, Barista maestros, who are team leaders and coffee trainers, will see their hourly pay increase by an average of almost 5%, to at least £12.93, from £12.33. 

D2 has acquired burger restaurant Almost Famous and its branding. The team behind Liverpool’s PINS Social Club, has taken over both the Manchester Northern Quarter and Liverpool sites. These are due to reopen Friday 21 and Monday 24 February respectively. The deal has been led by D2’s new managing director, and former Almost Famous operations director, Daniel Kelly. 

The Red Lion pub in Leytonstone will reopen after a £750k refurbishment that revitalised the 10-bedroom boutique hotel, grand ballroom, and a transformed pub and beer garden. Through the decades, it became a part of London’s music scene, hosting some of the world’s most famous bands including Led Zeppelin and Genesis. Following six weeks of restoration, the pub will officially reopen to the public on Friday 21 February.