The Lock In Pub Podcast: Recent Episodes
William Reed Ltd
The Lock In podcast, uploaded fortnightly, is provided by The Morning Advertiser, the leading content provider for the pub and bar industry since 1794. Our hosts are from media, brewing and pub operator view points giving a frank and honest view about what life running a pub business is really like.
We've spoken with a number of experts around how businesses can implement sustainability schemes into their operations in this special podcast episode.
With season three of the Lock In podcast coming to a close, we take a look at some of the current challenges, energy, supply, inflation etc - and where we see things heading.
Wasps can ruin many a pub garden experience, but how best to handle them? The Lock In team tackled the perennial pests and other top tips on making the most of summer trade.
How does the digital world fit into the analogue world of pubs? The Lock In team take a deep dive into digital with help from a range of guests including superstar chef Gary Usher.
How does the digital world fit into the analogue world of pubs? The Lock In team take a deep dive into digital with help from a range of guests including superstar chef Gary Usher.
With the tough trading months of January and February looming, the Lock In team discuss how operators can maximise the opportunities and create chances to boost trade with the help of a range of experts.
With the tough trading months of January and February looming, the Lock In team discuss how operators can maximise the opportunities and create chances to boost trade with the help of a range of experts.
The World Cup is usually a bumper time for pubs, but with it clashing with Christmas, how are operators going to manage the two? With their usual expertise and competence, the podcast team investigate...
The podcast team returns for season three of the award-winning (James's mum gave us a rosette) Lock In podcast and we get to grips with the challenges facing the sector.
The second season of the Lock In podcast draws to a close as the team take a look at what lies ahead for the pub sector and seek some expert advice to allow operators to prepare.
The Lock In team take a look back at the Pubs Code and the impact of MRO - how has the legislation reshaped the UK pub market for the better or worse, and what does the future hold?
Are pubs behind the curve when it comes to the digital world? Are we not embracing technology enough? The Lock In team tackle the subject with a range of guests debating everything from back of house tech, to whether customers should be allowed to google in pub debates!
With staffing challenges continuing to cause headaches for pub operators, the Lock In team tackle some of the issues that are causing the sector problems and have a bit of discussion about baldness discrimination...
The Lock In team look to shake things up when it comes to cocktails, and take a look at how pubs and bars can up their game when it comes to tapping into the growing cocktail sector.
With sky-rocketing costs across all aspects of the trade, the Lock In team take a look at what's driving those, and any steps operators can take to mitigate and make savings.
With summer threatening, the Lock In team take a look at whether pubs are ready or not for outdoor trading, looking at some of the challenges, and how recent legislative changes have impacted on the classic pub garden.
This week’s episode is brought to you from the number one Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropub the Unruly Pig in Bromeswell, Suffolk and includes licensee Brendan Padfield alongside rising chef star Ruth Hansom of the Princess of Shoreditch and Big Smoke co-founder Rich Craig talks to us about dark kitchens.
This week’s episode is brought to you from the number one Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropub the Unruly Pig in Bromeswell, Suffolk and includes licensee Brendan Padfield alongside Ruth Hansom of the Princess of Shoreditch and Big Smoke co-founder Rich Craig.
When it comes to beer and spirits, pubs are ahead of the curve, but why do they let the side down on wine so often?
With finances facing an ever-growing squeeze and debts coming home to roost next month, the Lock In team take a look at what pub operators should be thinking about when it comes to managing cash flow, dealing with debt, handling the current utilities crisis, investment and the opportunities around crowd funding. The team speak to experts including Chris Worden, of 1st Business Rescue, Clive Reffell, Commanche Communications and Marketing, Steve Alton, BII, and Dom Jacobs, The Cadogan Arms to get some key insight.
The Lock In team take a trip to an innovative alcohol-free off licence and realise the trade needs to stop saying no to low and no. We hear from special guests including Laura Willoughby of Club Soda, James Kindred of award winning brewers Big Drop Brewing and Amanda Thomson of Thomson and Scott who talks alcohol-free wine.
The Lock In team review the Christmas that wasn't and take a look to the months ahead and what to expect. We talk the challenging financial situation with top advice from expert advisor Chris Worden from 1st Business Rescue, hear from award winning operator Sharon Herron of the Keel Row, and take a look at veganuary and the food situation with NFU deputy president Stuart Roberts. And Ed gets told off.
The Lock In team sign off the year with a focus on how operators can maximise the most of the current situation and plan for the worst in the New Year. From some great advice on how to offset or extend bounceback loans to best practice on handling reservations into the New Year, the team spoke to Brewhouse & Kitchen's Simon Bunn and special guest Eddie Murphy - no, not that one - from Precision Licensed Services for some top financial tips.
The latest episode of the Lock In Podcast sees the team focus on review sites such as TripAdvisor and Google from the Prince of Peckham in east London with the pub’s operator Clement Ogbonnaya as well as Tony Kent from Reputation.com.
The Lock In team tackle the challenges around the ongoing recruitment and staffing crisis, with special guests Osh Rogers of the Guinea Grill, Dan Razavi of Leisurejobs and Mark McCulloch of Hospitality Rising all providing some expert insight into how to recruit, retain and train your teams.
The popular Lock In podcast makes a return for it's second season and to kick things off, the podcast team, Ed Bedington, Heath Ball and James Cuthbertson take a look at what's been happening while they've been off air, from government action to consumer behaviour, staff challenges and consumption trends. Tune in now!
In the last episode of this series of the Lock In podcast, the team take a look back on the past year of ups and mostly downs, speak to a group of top operators and take a look forward at what the next few months might have in store. Tune in now!
With stress a major factor in running pubs under the current restrictive regime, the team take a look at mental wellbeing, from both operators own, through to how to ensure you’re staying on top of helping staff with their mental health, with some great practical advice from experts. Guests this week include psychologist Jason Brennan from Wrkit, Paula Smith from the Licensed Trade Charity and James Nye from Anglian Country Inns. Tune in now!
The continuing issues around a potential delay to 'freedom day', no news on any support extensions and proposed plans around smoking bans outside pubs are top of the agenda in the latest episode of the podcast. The team is also joined by British Beer & Pub Association chief executive Emma McClarkin and Bibendum's John Graves to discuss these issues alongside James Ellis-Smith of hospitality recruitment specialists One Avenue to dissect the recruitment crisis. Listen now! And don't miss the bonus ukulele performance at the end...
With the Euros on the horizon, the podcast team tackle the subject of hosting key events in your sites. We speak to a number of special guests to cover everything from hosting live music gigs, through to sporting triumphs and even a little bit of culture with Shakespeare in the garden. Heath also bangs on about wine a bit and points out why Father's Day is far better than Mother's Day. Tune in now!
With indoor reopening now well underway, the Lock In team tackle the subject of pub grub, how the crisis has impacted on offers, the challenges around growing your own chefs, calorie labelling on menus and we ask how sustainable is your pub food offer? With special guests Gary Hunter from Westminster Kingsway College, Juliane Caillouette-Noble from the Sustainable Restaurant Association and the Michelin-starred legend that is Andrew Pern from the Star in Harome. Tune in now
With reopening just days away, the Lock In team get to grips with the challenges operators will be facing when it comes to opening up indoors under restrictions. We get extra input from special guests Andy Grimsey from Poppleston Allen, who shares insight on the licensing challenges, award winning operator and curate Emily Kolltviet talks about the value of commuity pubs and shares her thoughts on reopening and Martin Hilton from CPL Learning talks us through how to handle conflict with difficult customers not sticking to the rules. Tune in now!
One of the key challenges of reopening has been on the staffing front, from re-energising long furloughed team members, through to recruiting replacements and training teams back up to speed. The Lock In podcast team take a deep dive into those issues, along with special guests Kate Nicholls of UK Hospitality and Hit Training's Jill Whittaker. We also catch up with top Scottish chef and pub operator Tom Kitchin to get his thoughts on the Scottish reopening and the interesting restrictions! The team also pronounce their verdict on the Line of Duty finale, and why not? Tune in now...
As the industry starts to reopen, the Lock In team take a sideways look to see what trends are starting to emerge in food, drink, operations and consumer behaviour. The achingly hip Heath Ball and his sidekick James Cuthbertson share their insights into what they're seeing along with special guest appearances from CGA's Jonny Jones and Airship's Dan Brookman. Tune in now!
The Lock In team tackle the first week or so of trade, how to handle freezing customers, and speak to special guests Brendan Padfield of the Unruly Pig, and Elaine Wrigley of Atlas Bar to hear their experiences of reopening to date. We also tackle some of the legal challenges operators have been facing with legal eagle James Anderson of Poppleston Allen. Tune in now!
In the latest edition of the podcast, the team discuss the issue of staffing amid reopening alongside conflicting guidance from councils and many other challenges operators are facing and could face in the coming months. The team are also joined by Admiral Taverns CEO Chris Jowsey who discusses the how a possible Covid-status certification scheme would affect staff.
The podcast team look towards the future of the pub and bar trade, and discuss, with special guests Stosi Madi from the Parkers Arms and Clement Ogbonnaya of the Prince of Peckham, how the pandemic crisis is likely to shape operations as we move out of its shadow. We also talk to technology provider Prask Sutton of Wi5 about how he sees technology playing a growing role in operations moving forward. Tune in now!
The Lock In team take a look at the challenges around reopening, from staff to stock levels, and get some top tips on marketing your business from guest marketing whizz Mark McCulloch. The team also get to grips with business minister Paul Scully and ask him what exactly this Government has against the pub trade. Tune in now!
We're talking finance and funding in this week's episode of the Lock In podcast. From the growing rent debt problem to thoughts on how to crowd funding, the podcast team speak to a couple of special guests on the topics and also discuss how consumer spending is likely to change and how operators can cut costs and boost margins. And James gets his legs out...
It has been a year to the day when the Prime Minister told customers to avoid going to the pub. The podcast team take a wry look at what has turned out to be an unprecedented year of challenge and struggle, which has brought out the best and the worst in the sector, and reflect on some of the lessons learnt. We also speak to a couple of suppliers, Aubrey Allen's Russell Allen and Hairy Dog Brewery's Jim Nolan, to get their view on the year. Tune in now.
The budget has been revealed, some would say before the budget was revealed, and the podcast team give their reaction to the Chancellor's hand outs and what it means for their businesses and wider hospitality. We also get some more considered analysis from hospitality veteran James Kowszun and the team test out and assess some new product launches.
With the roadmap to reopening the podcast team give their thoughts to the news, (spoiler,the reaction is not that great) and look at how pubs should be approaching the reopening challenge. They also tackle the tricky subject of insurance with special guest Steven Swift of Sector Associates, and share their frustrations on the insurance challenge. Tune in to hear it all.
The ever-changing announcements on holidays is the theme of the latest edition of the podcast, tackling the question of are staycations an option for customers and how this could impact pubs. The team are also joined by Liberation Group managing director Jayson Perfect to hear his views on the possibility of staycations.
Ongoing restrictions, supply shenanigans and whether to invest or not - the team take a topical look at the latest issues for the pub trade in this week's episode of the Lock In podcast and we discuss misguided campaigners and the importance of pubs for tackling loneliness.
It's all about the people in this episode of the podcast as the team talk training, furlough challenges, keeping teams engaged, future recruitment challenges and we speak to special guest Jamie Campbell from CPL Learning to get his advice and tips on staff training and wellbeing. Plus some stuff on crepes and the guys reveal their worst ever jobs...
It's all about the money in this episode of the podcast as the team talk finances, and speak to grants expert Kevin Stewart to get his advice on how operators can prise the cash grants out of local councils. James and Heath also share their thoughts on generating revenue in the lockdown and converting stock into cash.
Legal challenges and opportunities come under the microscope in the latest episode of the Lock In podcast as the team are joined by licensing specialist Andy Grimsey from Poppleston Allen. We also tackle some of latest challenges facing the sector, debate the need for a Hospitality Minister and Heath puts forward the theory that Boris Johnson is enacting a particularly twisted reality television experiment on the sector.
With the pub industry back under full lockdown, the podcast team review the Christmas that wasn't, discuss the current dilemmas facing the trade, and kick around some practical ideas of what pubs can be doing while we await the next government decision on the future. We also carry out the Pepsi challenge on some alcohol free brands to see if we can spot the difference...
With 2020 drawing to a close, and the last episode of the Lock In podcast for the year, the team take a look back at a year which has had few highlights, but plenty of challenges for the sector and more on the way. We take a look forward at what 2021 might hold, are there any opportunities, and the team make a few predictions for the year ahead and learn a shocking Brexit truth about James Cuthbertson...
With food the focus under the new government restrictions for pubs, the Lock In podcast team talk about how you can create a food offer during the crisis, what makes good, and bad, pub food, the practicalities of a food offer and debate what substantial looks like.
In this week's episode of the Lock In podcast, Ed Bedington, Heath Ball and James Cuthbertson talk about preparing to come out of lockdown, their reaction to the latest government restrictions and find out live which tiers their pubs fall into. Tune in to hear all that and their thoughts on some new products on the market. Subscribe to listen to all episodes of the Lock In podcast.
In this week's episode of the Lock In podcast, Ed Bedington, Heath Ball and James Cuthbertson talk about Christmas, what can we expect to get out of a Christmas with restrictions, and where they see things heading. Tune in for a listen the latest episode of the Lock In podcast.
In this week's episode of the Lock In podcast Ed Bedington, James Cuthbertson and Heath Ball talk about the challenges facing the sector in lockdown, how pubs can adapt and what the future might look like. Tune in to the latest episode of the Lock In to hear their thoughts.
In this week's episode of The MA's Lock In podcast, Ed Bedington, James Cuthbertson and Heath Ball talk about customer service, bad behaviour and their mutual love of online reviews, including the dreaded Trip Advisor. Tune in to the latest episode of the Lock In to hear their thoughts.
In this week's episode of The MA's Lock In podcast, Ed Bedington, James Cuthbertson and Heath Ball talk bad experiences drinking wine, tier two and Ball is treated to a blind wine tasting, but will he guess them right? Tune in to the latest episode of the Lock In to find out.
The Morning Advertiser's new weekly podcast, The Lock In, sees editor Ed Bedington and co-hosts James Cuthbertson and Heath Ball explore different aspects of the pub trade over a drink or two.
The coronavirus pandemic has struck every aspect of life across the UK and the world, but what does that mean for our food and drink supplies now – and once some form of normality resumes following the lockdown?
Two operators talk about the realities of operating or closing their pubs during the coronavirus pandemic in a special edition of The MA Podcast, which looks at the state of the on-trade amid the chaos.
In the fourth episode of The MA Podcast, Ed Bedington talks to Fuller's boss Simon Emeny about the pubco's future, threats to the trade and why we should be celebrating success.
JW Lees managing director William Lees-Jones gives his view on issues in the pub trade and confirms there are no plans to sell the brewery, following similar sales in the trade this year.
The gin boom is not over, says the founder of Warner’s Gin Tom Warner in the second episode of The MA Podcast.
The boss of Curious Brewery Gareth Bath has outlined what he thinks the future of the UK's beer sector could look like.
Working with frozen fish and seafood could help pub chefs meet growing consumer demand for a greater variety of fish dishes, be more creative and cut wastage, they just need to cast aside preconceptions first, finds The Morning Advertiser.
Carlsberg will buy a UK craft brewery to bolster its growing portfolio of smaller brands with an artisan British beer, The Morning Advertiser can reveal.
Soft drinks have arrived late to the premium and craft party, but operators must try to tap into better quality products now if they are to take better advantage of consumer demand for new and exciting non-alcoholic drinks.
Smirnoff vodka has entered the fruit cider category with the launch of its Passionfruit & Lime and Raspberry & Pomegranate liquids – a blend of fruit flavours and vodka.
Gin terroir is an emerging trend pubs can cash in on as consumers become ever more discerning about the locality of what they eat and drink.
Sessionable beers are disappearing as stronger craft brews have become more popular, according to Pilsner Urquell's beer master Robert Lobovsky.
Frozen food should not be shunned by pub chefs who fear using non-fresh produce will taint their offer, but should embrace its nutritious and money-saving qualities.
Pitiful attempts at offering increasingly popular international cuisines – such as Vietnamese or Thai – by pubs are leaving businesses vulnerable to reputational damage, an analyst has warned.
Paying closer attention to your staff’s working history, especially before hiring them, could help prevent a catastrophic incident of food fraud in your pub, a leading food safety advisor has advised.
Wetherspoons’ food developer Sophie Jennings has revealed how the high street pub chain was one of the top pubs for healthy children’s meals on the Soil Association’s Eating Out report yesterday (21 October).
The Publican's Morning Advertiser's story on last week's All-Party Parliamentary Save The Pub Group meeting has evoked strong feelings among a number of licensees. Today, we publish a full audio recording of the meeting as a service to them, and the rest of our readers.
This is part 2 of the audio recording of last week's All-Party Parliamentary Save The Pub Group Meeting.
Businesses must be tech-savy, improve their service standards, and ensure their menus and designs are innovative if they are to succeed in the future.
Pub and restaurant owners should encourage their British staff to take up a career as a sommelier to balance the level of foreign someliers in the industry.