ONTRADEMAGAZINE.CO.UK
JANUARY 2026
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WELCOME
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JUSTIN WINGATE A CONVERSATION ABOUT COURAGE, CULTURE, AND THE FUTURE OF HOSPITALITY
WELCOME TO JANUARY EDITION OF ONTRADE MAGAZINE
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CALLS FOR AN IMMEDIATE PAUSE ON THE INCEASES IN RATES AFTER ASSESSORS VALUATION
As we step into a new year, January offers a moment to pause, reflect, and – crucially – reset. The challenges facing the on-trade remain very real, but so too does the resilience, creativity, and determination that define this industry. This edition of OnTrade Magazine is about starting the year with clarity, confidence, and a renewed sense of purpose. In this issue, we bring you a series of powerful and thoughtprovoking conversations. We speak with Justin Wingate, Head of OnTrade Magazine, on the importance of leadership, and advocacy at a time when the industry needs a strong, unified voice. We also sit down with Anas Sarwar, Leader of the Scottish Labour Party, to explore policy, economic pressures, and the importance of hospitality to communities and employment across the UK. And we hear from Sacha Lord, Chair of the Night Time Industries Association, whose continued campaigning shines a light on the urgency—and opportunity—for meaningful change.
ANAS SARWAR
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ROYAL MASH MARTINI GRADE ULTRA PREMIUM VINTAGE VODKA
While the external pressures on our sector show little sign of easing, this edition calls for a more positive outlook from within. Now is the time to double down on collaboration rather than competition, to embrace innovation in how we operate and engage, and to strengthen connections across the entire on-trade ecosystem—from operators and suppliers to policymakers and partners. Progress will not come from waiting for circumstances to improve, but from working together to shape what comes next. The conversations in this January edition are intended not just to inform, but to inspire action, dialogue, and renewed belief in what this industry can achieve when it pulls in the same direction. Here’s to a year of stronger partnerships, bolder ideas, and better engagement – across the board. Welcome to the January edition of OnTrade Magazine
Justin Wingate Director at TopGunMedia
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RADIO GLASGOW’S NEW IRISH-AMERICAN NIGHTLIFE BEACONON SAUCHIEHALL STREET
Fiona Gauld Production - info@topgunmedia.co.uk For press enquires or advertising opportunists please call or email: Email: info@topgunmedia.co.uk Telephone: 0141 556 4111
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NEWS
SBPA CALL FOR TEMPORARY LICENSING STATEMENTS FOR WORLD CUP match should give an estimated £3m boost to Scotland’s pubs but we need licensing boards to show flexibility and allow pubs to open their doors, that’s why we’re calling for temporary licensing statements for the whole of the tournament.
“This is a once-in-a-generation moment for Scotland fans and should be a major boost for Scotland’s pubs, but with kick-offs at 11:00 PM and 2:00 AM, that opportunity is at risk. Each
“People will rightly want to come together and celebrate, like they did a few weeks ago when we qualified. Let’s make sure they can do that in a safe, regulated environment, and give our pubs a chance to benefit from this incredible occasion. No Pubs, No Party.”
SCOTTISH HOSPITALITY SET FOR £69m BUSINESS RATES HIT, WITHOUT ACTION increase on its previous valuation of £9,474. This will take the pub out of the Small Business Bonus Scheme and will increase bills to an unaffordable point. The business has this year already had to lay off staff. A rural hotel in West Scotland has seen its rateable value increase 40%, on top of a 40% increase in 2023. The increase pushes the business into the higher property rate. UKHospitality is also calling for a permanently reduced business rates poundage for hospitality and leisure at a rate of 30 pence in the pound – funded by rebalancing the burden to reflect the rise of the online economy. Leon Thompson, Executive Director of UKHospitality Scotland, said: “Hospitality businesses across Scotland continue to be punished by the broken business rates system. “This 23% average increase to rateable values will push up hospitality’s business rates bill by as much as £69 million. That’s simply not sustainable. New analysis from UKHospitality Scotland of the draft valuation roll from the Scottish Assessors Association reveals that these significant increases will drive bills even higher and cost the sector £69m in 2026/27, unless the Scottish Government takes action at its Budget in January. Business rates bills will increase by £69m for the sector, if existing 40% relief for Scottish hospitality properties below £51,000 rateable value is discontinued and alongside sharp increases in rateable values. In light of these draft valuations, UKHospitality Scotland has written to the First Minister urging the Scottish Government to pause the revaluation process and work with the sector on an alternative solution, such as freezing rateable values at current levels. A small, rural pub’s draft valuation of £24,700 is a 160% 4
“There are businesses that have received their draft valuations and are seeing increases of 160% and higher. They’re working out what this will mean for their bills and are coming to the clear realisation that the scale of increases will be unaffordable. “Without action, we will only see business closures accelerate, more jobs lost and Scottish communities continue to see the loss of much-loved local venues. “The Scottish Government can solve this problem. With these valuations only being draft, the First Minister and the Cabinet Secretary for Finance can step in and make clear that they will not allow hard-pressed Scottish hospitality businesses to be hit with this level of unjust rates hike. “I urge them to pause the revaluation process and work with UKHospitality Scotland on an alternative solution, which spares our sector being hit by eye-watering increases to rates bills.” ONTRADEMAGAZINE.CO.UK
NEWS
44 YEARS IS LONG ENOUGH, END THE BAN AND TRUST THE FANS Scottish Premiership club to trial the sale of alcohol inside the concourse of a stadium since the ban was introduced more than 40 years ago, when they take on Kilmarnock at Pittodrie on Sunday. This latest trial builds on recent trials held in Scotland’s lower leagues earlier this season which demonstrated that with sufficient safeguards in place, alcohol can be enjoyed responsibly at Scottish football matches, while providing Scotland’s clubs with a much-needed financial boost. A legislative change is required to amend part II of The Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995 to allow the sale of alcohol at football nationwide. The Scottish Beer and Pub Association is calling on the Scottish Government to consider introducing a season-long trial to help develop a concurrent and robust evidence base on the merits of any potential reintroduction of alcohol at football. The Scottish Beer and Pub Association (SBPA) is urging the Scottish Government to introduce a season-long trial to allow fans to enjoy a pint at the football. This weekend’s Scottish league cup final will see another set-piece football fixture pass by without Scottish football fans being able to enjoy a responsible pint at the country’s national stadium, despite rugby fans being able to have a drink when Glasgow Warriors take on Edinburgh Rugby at Barclay’s Hampden on Saturday 20 December. The alcohol ban means fans are unable to consume alcohol at a football match in Scotland unless they are in hospitality, placing Scotland behind the curve of other parts of the UK. After securing a one-off license from Aberdeen City Council’s Licensing Board, Aberdeen FC will be the first
Paul Togneri of the Scottish Beer and Pub Association said: “Scottish football has the highest per capita attendance in Europe, yet the matchday experience for fans pales behind other nations. Recent trials have shown how alcohol sales at football grounds can improve the matchday experience and generate vital revenue for clubs without compromising supporter and player safety. “We urge the Scottish Government to act now and introduce a season-long trial as part of a route map to the full reintroduction of safe and moderated consumption of alcohol at football matches. “The legislative framework governing the sale of alcohol at football is outdated and out of touch. Scottish football fans deserve the same opportunity to enjoy a pint watching their favourite team with friends as fans across the border do. It’s time for the Scottish Government to end the ban and trust the fans”.
NIGHTCLUBS READY TO BECOME THE UK’S WORLD CUP 2026 FANZONES Nightclubs Ready to Become the UK’s World Cup 2026 Fan Zones as Late Kick-Offs Align Perfectly with Existing Licences
substantial crowds seeking high-energy, communal viewing experiences—something clubs and music venues are perfectly designed to deliver.
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup featuring many late-night fixtures due to North American time zones, UK nightclubs, bars, and live music venues are emerging as the ideal settings for match screenings. Crucially, in most cases, venues’ existing licensed hours already cover the majority of these late kick-off times, making nightlife spaces a natural, ready-made fit for hosting fans throughout the tournament.
Equipped with high-quality sound and screen infrastructure, professional security, and established late-night operations, these venues can offer electric atmospheres tailor-made for major sporting events. This perfect alignment of scheduling and capability presents a significant opportunity for operators and the wider night time economy, which has faced sustained pressure from rising costs and shifting trading patterns.
Home nations matches, in particular, are expected to draw
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FEATURE
A CONVERSATION ABOUT COURAGE, CULTURE, AND THE FUTURE OF HOSPITALITY
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o start the new year we sat down with our founder & head of OnTrade Magazine Justin Wingate for an exclusive chat on what he believes is needed in 2026 to get the industry really moving forward together based on the countless conversations he has had with people of all levels across the industry.
OTM: Justin, the hospitality sector has been through a decade of disruption compressed into just a few years. As we look toward 2026, what does the industry need most to move forward rather than simply recover? Justin Wingate: Everyone in the industry across the uk is aware of the numerous challanges , unfairness and lack of support the venue owners face every day and as much as we and many others can challenge government and 6
local authorities on these we also need to look at how the industry can do more to evolve and be better itself. What it needs – more than just funding, more than footfall—is belief. Belief in itself, belief in people, and belief that hospitality still matters deeply to society. We’ve spent years talking about survival and the challanges , which are real , but it seems the vast majority of the industry is caught in a “ doom loop “ 2026 ONTRADEMAGAZINE.CO.UK
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has to be about collaboration and evolving with purpose . Hospitality isn’t just an economic engine; it’s cultural infrastructure. It’s where communities meet, where stories are shared, where relationships and life skills are formed. People seem to have forgotten or lost that, it’s time to REALLY give people a reason to get off the couch and get off apps and get back to socialising and it starts with experience. OTM: Purpose is a powerful word. How does that translate into day-to-day reality for operators? Justin Wingate: Purpose becomes real when operators stop asking, “How do I get people through the door?” and start asking, “Why would anyone choose us?” In 2026, the winning venues will be the ones that stand for something—whether that’s creativity, entertainment, food ,decor or all of the above , it also means not cutting corners. Value for money does not mean cheap simply copying what a successful venue nearby is doing but doing it on
the cheap is not the answer. Competition is a good thing , if you look at any genuinely successful venue currently operating they all have one major thing in common…. THEY HAVE ESTABLISHED THEIR OWN IDENTITY. People go to them and spend their money because of that identity whether it is live music , food , the surroundings , the staff whatever it may be they are not trying to replicate someone else but doing it “ on the cheap “ to just tick a box that they think will offer the same thing. Consumers are done with the transactional. They want meaning with their moments. A drink is never just a drink; it’s a signal of values, taste, and trust. OTM: Staffing remains one of the sector’s biggest challenges. What has to change? Justin Wingate: We have to radically rethink how we value people. Hospitality has talked about “people-first” for years, but talk isn’t enough anymore. Our industry is a phenomenal, unique industry where 7
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people can learn skills that build character and form life skills and experience and making that appealing again to people by creating a positive atmosphere around hospitality is vastly important. At present, externally with the constant doom loop and cloud over the industry being perpetuated does not make it an attractive industry for a career. If we are , as an industry telling the wider public “ our industry is on its knees “ how can we expect people to be positive about working in it ? OTM: Technology is often positioned as the solution. Do you agree? Justin Wingate: Technology is a tool, not a sav iour. The danger is using it to remove the human interaction or because it’s more “ efficent “ instead of enhancing it , it is not an alternative to EXPERIENCE. People don’t experience an app The don’t experience a download They don’t experience a QR code The experience a friendly welcome , they experience good service , they experience a good atmosphere , they experience identity, surroundings , entertainment , food none of which are reliant on tech to provide on its own. Our industry is not just a service driven industry it’s an ENTERTAINMENT OTM: You speak to the industry daily through OnTrade Magazine What gives you hope? Justin Wingate: The creativity. The resilience. The quiet refusal to give up. Despite everything, people are still opening venues, still mentoring young talent, still pushing standards higher. There’s a hunger to do things better – not
just cheaper or faster. What excites me most is a new wave of leaders who are emotionally intelligent, values-led, and brave enough to challenge old norms. If we empower them, 2026 won’t be a rebuild—it’ll be a reinvention. More collaboration is VITAL. Brands looking at engaging more with venues on offerings to customers and by that I don’t mean the big boys offering “ listing fees “ to perceived “ popular venues “ closing the door on collaboration. I don’t mean brands “ box ticking “ on marketing aspects but brands and distributors getting more collaborative with venues on emerging brands and existing brands to support venues growth. Collaboration should not be dictated by how big someone’s chequebook is that is not a long term solution. OTM: Finally, if you could give the hospitality sector one challenge for the road to 2026, what would it be? Justin Wingate: Be bold enough to matter again. Create an identity , offer a genuine experience give people a reason compelling enough to get them off the couch and back to socialising. Design experiences, not just menus. And never forget that hospitality has the power to change how people feel about their day, their city, even themselves. If the sector leads with courage and care, the future isn’t something to fear—it’s something to shape regardless of external challenges which will always exist in some shape or form. Because to me , hospitality doesn’t just serve society. At its best, it holds it together.
“Brands looking at engaging more with venues on offerings to customers and by that I don’t mean the big boys offering “listing fees“ to perceived “ popular venues “closing the door on collaboration. I don’t mean brands “box ticking“ on marketing aspects but brands and distributors getting more collaborative with venues on emerging brands and existing brands to support venues growth.“ 8
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FEATURE
ANAS SARWAR CALLS FOR AN IMMEDIATE PAUSE ON THE INCEASES IN RATES AFTER ASSESSORS VALUATION
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cottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has called on Scottish Government to immediately pause the rates increase due to take effect pending a review of what he has called “exponential and unfair increases”
Mr Sarwar , one of the only senior MPS to proactively engage and publicly champion the hospitality industry as a key sector to drive the overall economy said :
This is a direct threat to the viability of many of these businesses and risks thousands of jobs.
“ I and many in the industry hold you in high regard as an individual as you have often championed the needs of the industry and it’s connection to the wider economy as well as your willingness to sit down with operators and venue owners and actively take on board their points , but I firmly believe that the time for talk is over and every day , week month and year that passes without people of your position taking action and is more jobs lost , more lively hoods ruined , more unemployment , more uncertainty and more social decay it has to change , we all deserve a better level of representation across the board and that has to start now .”
I will press the current Scottish Government for an immediate pause and I commit, that if successful in May, I will reform the Scottish Assessor model and wider rates system, as the current setup is broken and not fit for purpose.”
Mr Sarwar responded saying: “I appreciate and accept the blunt terms of the challenge you have put to me , judge me on me and what I want to commit to , I can’t disagree with what you have stated.”
The Scottish Labour Leader continued a conversation with Head of OnTrade Magazine Justin Wingate where our founder stated what he believed was needed NOW to make a difference :
Scottish government elections are being held in May of 2026 with many business owners and working people across hospitality and other industries feeling more disconnected and let down that ever before what many now want is honesty, action and prosperity.
“I have been inundated with concerns from businesses about exponential increases to their rates after Assessor valuations. It is clear that these are extreme and unfair, in some of the cases I have seen they are up by 3 or 4 times as much.
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FEATURE
MARTINI GRADE VINTAGE VODKA
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rom the Island of Jersey comes a Crown Jewel: Royal Mash Vintage Vodka, characterised by the exclusive Jersey Royal potatoes from which it is made.
Using oversize Jersey Royals which would otherwise remain unused Royal Mash creates a sustainable 40% ABV ultrapremium vintage vodka. Produced from the world’s finest potatoes and hand-crafted in bespoke 200 litre copper stills, this special vodka is unique.
ORIGINS
Rachel says “We set out to make the best vodka imaginable. I live on the beautiful Island of Jersey which produces the only potatoes in the world to boast the equivalent of an “appellation d’origine controlée”.
The Jersey-based owners have an interesting royal connection too. The Royal Mash logo is the crest of the Le Fol family, who were ennobled by Henry IV in 1594.
The combination of the finest ingredients, brand owners with exquisite taste, an expert Master Distiller, and a distillation process that creates the purest spirit, has resulted in a superior, sustainable and memorable vodka - the spirit of Jersey! “When blind-tasted against other leading brands, Royal Mash is in a league of its own.” Each batch of Royal Mash is individually taste tested, approved, and signed off. The terroir and the quality of the finest potatoes ensuring that each vintage is of superb quality. 12
Royal Mash has been created by two people with a passion for fine food and drinks; Rachel de Caen, a trained chef, and Peter Le Fol du Taillis.
NO HALF MEASURES At the very heart of Royal Mash is the modus operandi - “no half measures”. This is defined as “no reduction or limitation to the effort or resources employed”. The ethos of Royal Mash is that every effort be made to create the best. Every element of the process and product, from the spirit to the bottle, labelling and packaging is of the highest quality that can sourced. As a result you can be assured every bottle represents the philosophy of Royal Mash. ONTRADEMAGAZINE.CO.UK
Let’s go into the New Year with
NO HALF MEASURES!
MARTINI GRADE VODKA royalmash.com
FEATURE
WILL THERE BE EXTRA TIME? The festivities are over and it’s time for the customary New Year reset. That means operators looking forward and planning. Easter menus in January and Christmas menus in July are the norm. But this year there are a number of other things to think about … including sport and in particular, football. The 2026 World Cup takes place from June 11 to July 19 across three host nations. 42 teams have already qualified, including England and Scotland. There are 6 other places available and those will be decided in March 2026 at play offs. Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and Wales are all part of those play offs and could still qualify in March through that route.
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England’s kick off times are: Croatia 21:00 (9pm) in Dallas; Ghana: 23:00 (9pm) in Boston; and Panama at 22:00 (10pm) in New York-New Jersey. Scotland’s times are: Haiti: 02:00 (2am) in Boston; Morocco: 23:00 (11pm) in Boston; and Brazil: 23:00 (11pm) in Miami.
The 2026 World Cup is the biggest yet with a total of 48 teams competing, 16 more than in the 2022 World Cup. It will be a huge event but at home, all eyes will be on the UK teams.
There are therefore calls for extensions to licensed hours across the UK to allow matches to be viewed. That is a fairly significant undertaking as there are 317 local councils in England in total and 32 local authorities in Scotland.
Scotland and England’s kick off times were announced on 5th December and safe to say some of the matches start late in the day, which will often take the matches beyond current licensed hours for many premises.
This can be done in England as a contingent Licensing Hours Order under the Licensing Act 2003, if the events are determined to be occasions of exceptional national significance. There is precedent for the additional hours, ONTRADEMAGAZINE.CO.UK
NEWS
WHAT WE DO: ADVICE ON PERSONAL AND PREMISES LICENCES DRAFTING AND LODGING APPLICATIONS ATTENDANCE AT CONTENTIOUS HEARINGS ADVICE ON BUSINESS STRUCTURES FOR LICENSED PREMISES TRAINING AND MANAGEMENT OF STAFF PERSONAL LICENCES
not least as the UK Government issued a temporary extension to licensing hours across England and Wales for the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 final in July 2025 and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has proposed to extend opening hours in the UK for the World Cup. There is currently a consultation in England and Wales which started on 4th December and will run for 6 weeks on the plans for additional hours, what they will look like, where they will apply and directions to be given. In Scotland each individual licensing board has the power to issue a general extension of hours and there is already a strength of feeling that this should be done. The Scottish Beer and Pub Association (SBPA) has urged licensing boards to look at extending hours beyond the current available hours which can be as early as 11pm but rarely extend beyond 1am unless the premises are an entertainment venue. There is also the issue of premises licences and whether televised sport has been
ticked as an option in the operating plan. If not, regardless of any extensions granted, premises may not be able to show the matches. Premises and operators should check their licences now and consider if they want to make that change as this, in Scotland, will be a major variation to the premises licence and could take some time to amend. Licensing boards may consider a special variation process to allow this but there has been no information on that as yet. Individual council approaches to hours are also still awaited and operators hope to see those come out after the festive break. So for all operators who want to show live football, keep in touch with Joanna at The Licensing Company re the policies and allowances which may be made by licensing authorities and get a free review of your premises licence to make sure you are able to show the matches when the time comes. For more details contact Joanna Millar, The Licensing Company on info@thelicensing. company or 07747 653417. 15
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RADIO: GLASGOW’S NEW IRISHAMERICAN NIGHTLIFE BEACON ON SAUCHIEHALL STREET
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new chapter in Glasgow’s nightlife story has just begun with the opening of Radio — a two-floor Irish-American bar and speakeasy that opened its doors in November 2025 to considerable buzz since.
FROM CLASSIC BAR TO UNDERGROUND LOUNGE: A DUAL-PERSONALITY VENUE Radio takes over the former Mango site at 373 Sauchiehall Street, breathing fresh energy into one of the city’s most storied nightlife thoroughfares. The venue is the latest venture from Glasgow operators Steven McColm and Adam Coakley, the team behind popular local spots BOX, Nico’s, and the relaunched Driftwood — meaning Radio arrives with plenty of experience and high expectations attached. Spread across two levels and four distinct bars under one roof, Radio is designed to evolve with the night: • Ground Floor – Classic Irish-American Bar: A convivial, welcoming space where pints flow, live music fills the room, and big sports screens bring fans together. Think traditional hospitality infused with an upbeat, social atmosphere — perfect for pre-gig drinks or catching the latest match with friends. • Basement Speakeasy – New York-Style Vibe: Descend downstairs and you’ll find a darker, edgier lounge experience. The speakeasy embraces underground club culture with DJs spinning tracks into the early hours, inventive cocktails, and a dance floor alive until 3 am. The vibe is evocative of New York’s famed underground lounges — intimate, energetic, and full of character.
FOOD, DECOR, AND ATMOSPHERE 16
Radio doesn’t just stop at drinks and music — food plays a central role too. New York-style pizza slices, sides, and dips are available throughout the evening and into the early morning, offering the ideal bite between sets, matches, or late-night conversations. The interior design leans into its name and theme with flair — retro broadcast visuals, neon signage, vintage microphones, vinyl records, and Irish bric-a-brac all contribute to a sound-driven aesthetic that connects the entire space. This creative styling gives Radio a distinctive personality rooted in music culture and storytelling.
A BOOST FOR SAUCHIEHALL STREET’S RESURGENCE Sauchiehall Street has faced challenges in recent years, with several venues closing and ongoing redevelopment efforts shaping its future. However, the arrival of Radio is part of a broader resurgence: new venues opening, storied institutions reopening, and renewed investment in the area’s social scene. Radio’s launch — alongside other refurbishments and openings — signals a renewed confidence in Glasgow’s nightlife heartbeat. For Glaswegians and visitors alike, Radio offers not just another bar, but a multifaceted destination — one that captures both the warm conviviality of traditional Irish hospitality and the rhythmic pulse of urban nightlife culture. Whether you’re swinging by for a pint, lingering for a pizza, or dancing until the early hours, Radio is tuned into the city’s social frequency. ONTRADEMAGAZINE.CO.UK
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FEATURE
CATO TO OPEN IN COVENT GARDEN THIS JANUARY
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lready shaping up to be one of 2026’s most exciting new openings, cato will open in Covent Garden this January, bringing New York City soul, British produce and a boundary-pushing cocktail list to Seven Dials.
Ahead of its opening, the team has revealed further details about the concept, spaces and cocktails set to define the new bar. Bringing inspiration from Cato Alexander, widely regarded as the world’s first celebrity bartender, cato is created by hospitality group Bart & Taylor, in partnership with award-winning bartender and author Angelos Bafas (@ mr.ungarnished), known for his stripped-back, ingredient-led style. The venue unfolds across three distinct spaces, each offering a different expression of the cato experience. On the ground floor, The House of Julep will serve as a lively, welcoming entry point, centred around the julep - the cocktail Cato Alexander made famous in the 1800s. Frosted cups will feature mint and herbs grown on site through cato’s in-house growing system, supporting the bar’s ambition to become the first self-sufficient bar for herbs and fruits, with additional sourcing from urban allotments and family-run farms. In the basement, cato will offer a more intimate setting built around its main cocktail menu, Colour Has Flavour. Inspired by synesthesia - where senses overlap and inform
one another - the menu explores how colour shapes flavour, aroma and texture. Fourteen cocktails span seven hues, each named after its two defining ingredients and crafted using exclusively British spirits and produce, celebrating the depth and diversity of UK terroir through a global lens. Signature cocktails include BROWN (Medlar + Mushroom), blending Scotch whiskies with foraged medlar and mushroom spirit, brown vermouth, fermented wild mushrooms and smoked Cornish tea; GREEN (Jalapeño + Shiso), made with pod pea vodka, Norfolk shiso, South Devon jalapeño liqueur, dry vermouth and gooseberry brine; and YELLOW (Chamomile + Sweet Clover) - available in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic serves - featuring chamomile spirit, foraged sweet clover, yellow jun and dried meadowsweet. Completing the venue, cato’s Study will act as a creative laboratory, with a communal table hosting masterclasses, pop-ups and experimental serves led by the cato team. Food at cato will involve elevated American classics including fried oysters - the signature serve at the original Cato’s Tavern - alongside indulgent burgers and toasties. 19
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SACHA LORD: I DON’T BELIEVE THE GOVERNMENT UNDERSTANDS THE DAMAGE IT IS DOING
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ight Time Industries Association Chair Sacha Lord Instructs lawyers to issues a feadom of information request on what checks were carried out by government prior to issuing the “Catastrophic Budget”. Lord, a leading voice across the hospitality and night time industry sector stated: “I don’t believe the Govt understands the damage a closed pub will do to the local community. That’s why yesterday my lawyers issued a Freedom of Information Request. What checks did they carry out prior to announcing the catastrophic Budget that will force a raft of closures?” He also challenged the chancellor Rachel Reeves on her statements saying : “The Chancellor stood up during her Budget speech and said she was helping the British Pub. In fact she introduced a stealth tax costing the British pub £380 million over the next three years. She has called last orders on many pubs across the UK.” OnTrade Magazine’s Industry Champion Lord’s words echo many across the industry that feel bitterly let down by government over a prolonged period and are calling for change.
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