Blog

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Rolled-up holiday pay: what hospitality employers need to know

Holiday pay can throw a real spanner in the works for hospitality businesses’ cashflow. You may find yourself hit with big, unexpected bills when several team members take time off at once because you’re paying your regular staffing amount plus holiday pay. ‘Most employers don’t accrue for holiday pay when

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Labour cost blog post

7 ways to control your pub’s labour costs

Labour costs have always been one of the biggest expenses for pubs, but in 2025, they’re hitting record highs. Many pubs are feeling the squeeze, and in fact, it’s one of the factors leading to the closure of approximately one pub every day across the country. Why are pubs’ labour

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tax relief

Pubs urge government for tax relief as pressure builds

In April 2025, the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII), representing over 13,000 independent pub operators, issued a call to the UK government for meaningful financial support in tax relief. The plea comes as pubs grapple with the cumulative impact of recent tax changes, including increased employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs),

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energy update

Energy update for hospitality (Q2 2025)

Recent data from the ONS indicates continued volatility in prices on energy updates, impacting operational costs for hospitality businesses:​ Gas Prices: The System Average Price (SAP) of gas increased by 3% to 4.173 pence per kilowatt hour (p/kWh) in the week to 19 January 2025, compared to the previous week.

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consumer spending

Hospitality growth as consumer spending shifts

In March 2025, the UK’s hospitality and leisure sector experienced a 2.8% year-on-year increase in consumer spending, maintaining the momentum from February’s 2.9% growth. This steady performance comes despite broader economic challenges and shifting consumer behaviours.​ Key Insights: Bars, Pubs & Clubs: After a 2.0% decline in February, this segment

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tax

Tax & wage hikes: bracing for rising costs

The UK hospitality sector is confronting significant financial challenges due to recent tax reforms and wage increases. These changes are reshaping operational costs and staffing strategies across the industry.​ Key Financial Changes Impacting Hospitality: Employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs): Effective April 6, 2025, the employer NIC rate increased from 13.8%

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outdoor events

Planning outdoor events? Essential licensing tips for pubs 2025

With the arrival of warmer weather and a notable 5% increase in drinks sales during the first week of April 2025, UK pubs are experiencing a promising start to the spring season. This uptick, reported by CGA by NIQ, highlights the potential benefits of leveraging outdoor spaces to attract patrons

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food inflation

Food inflation 2025: key insights for hospitality operators

As of March 2025, UK inflation has eased to 2.6%, marking its lowest point since October 2024. However, this relief may be short-lived. Industry experts warn of an impending resurgence in food inflation, driven by recent tax changes and rising operational costs. Key Drivers of Upcoming Inflation Increased Operational Costs:

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chicken

Chicken shortage: how pubs & restaurants can stay ahead

UK pubs are confronting significant challenges due to a tightening chicken supply chain and escalating costs. Popular menu items such as chicken wings, burgers, skewers, and Sunday roasts are under pressure as domestic producers struggle to meet demand, and avian flu impacts imports.​ Key Factors Contributing to the Chicken Crisis:​

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pub drink summer

Warm weather boosts pub drink sales

The first week of April 2025 brought a welcome uplift for UK pubs, with average drinks sales in managed venues rising by 5% compared to the same period in 2024. This increase, reported by CGA by NIQ’s Daily Drinks Tracker, follows a 2% sales growth in March, signalling potential momentum

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pint

Are you pouring loss per pint?

According to the BBPA, the average £4.80 pint is now pouring at a 9p loss. To keep the usual 12p profit, prices would need to rise to £5.01. We’ve been working closely with our hospitality clients, and the response isn’t one-size-fits-all. Some have raised prices by 50p to protect their

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Business Plan

8 key ingredients for a winning business plan: secure your lease now

A strong business plan is key to securing the right lease for your hospitality business. Whether it’s a restaurant, pub, or café, a business plan shows landlords you can manage operations, understand the market’s needs, and have stable finances. A well-written plan helps guide your business’s growth and shows landlords

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hospitality

5 proven steps to save your struggling hospitality business

The UK hospitality industry, a key pillar of British culture, faces increasing pressures from rising costs, evolving consumer preferences, and regulatory shifts. For many struggling establishments, knowing when and how to restructure can be the key to survival. Here’s how you can navigate financial challenges and position your hospitality business

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holiday pay

Navigating the upcoming changes to the holiday pay landscape

Introduction: As the employment landscape evolves, so do the regulations surrounding compensation, including holiday pay. One significant development in this realm is the reintroduction of the 12.07% holiday pay rule, and even better the simplification of this in tandem with rolled-up holiday pay. In the past, employees patiently accrued holiday

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profitability

Beyond the books: unlocking profitability in hotel finances

Running a successful hotel involves more than just managing the books; it requires a strategic approach to financial management that goes beyond the traditional accounting functions. In this article, we’ll explore how hoteliers can unlock profitability by adopting a comprehensive financial strategy that encompasses various key aspects of the business.

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Xero

Xero for hospitality: streamlining finances for pubs and restaurants

In the fast-paced and dynamic world of hospitality, efficient financial management is the backbone of success. As technology continues to evolve, businesses in the pub and restaurant industry are turning to innovative solutions to streamline their finances. One such powerful tool gaining widespread popularity is Xero, an advanced cloud-based accounting

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Cash Flow

Cash is king: understanding the vitality of cash flow

Have you ever pondered why, despite your business showing a healthy profit on paper, you find yourself grappling with cash flow issues? It’s a common dilemma that many entrepreneurs and business owners face. You’re not alone if you’ve ever heard the saying, “Turnover is vanity, profit is sanity, but cash

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business plan

Unlocking success: the ongoing relevance of business planning

Business planning, a term often associated with the early stages of a venture. Entrepreneurs meticulously craft their business plans to secure funding, impress potential investors, and map out their initial journey. But what happens next? Why is business planning more than just a one-time activity that collects dust in the

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Prime Costs

It’s prime time you considered your venues’ prime cost

Prime costs are an important key performance indicator for your restaurant, which is often overlooked. Prime costs are one of the most important and revealing numbers on any restaurant’s P&L. They can give you a much better understanding of your cost structure, profit potential and how well your restaurant is

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Key Performance Indicators

Key performance indicators (KPIs) for measuring hotel financial performance

In the dynamic and competitive hotel industry, measuring financial performance is essential for business success. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) serve as valuable metrics to evaluate a hotel’s financial health and identify areas for improvement. This blog explores the key KPIs that hoteliers should monitor to gain insights into their financial

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bookkeeping

The importance of bookkeeping for restaurants: keeping your finances in order

Running a successful restaurant involves more than just serving delicious food and providing excellent service. Behind the scenes, effective financial management plays a critical role in ensuring your restaurant’s success and long-term sustainability. One key aspect of this financial management is bookkeeping. In this blog, we will delve into the

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Specialised Accountants

The indispensable role of specialised accountants in the competitive world of hospitality businesses: unlocking financial success with Carroll Accountants

In the fiercely competitive landscape of the hospitality industry, the need for proficient accounting professionals cannot be overstated. When it comes to managing the financial intricacies of establishments such as pubs, bars, restaurants, and cafes, a team of trained and specialised accountants is crucial. This article explores the profound significance

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Break-even – what’s the point?

This is a great tool to calculate, well what it says, the “break-even point”. This point is when the sales cover your total annual costs and no profit or loss is made. You may ask yourself, why do I want to just break-even? What’s the point of that? You are

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Forecasting waste

The Office of the Pubs Code Adjudicator, the government body that is responsible for enforcing the statutory Pubs Code, recently issued guidance in relation to pub-owning business’ statutory obligations around accounting accurately. The particular aspect they seek to clarify revolves around Pubs Code, Schedule 2 forecast profit and loss statements

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Tips and Tronc – What’s the difference

In this chapter we will explain the difference between Tips, Gratuities, and Service charges, and when a TRONC arrangement is necessary. To the public these are collectively known as Tips. However, you will need to know the difference between them, and how they are treated for tax purposes. Gratuity This

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Why you should consider an EPOS system

Electronic Point of Sale (EPoS) is the hardware and accompanying software that allows you to process orders and payments and provides real-time reporting and stock management information. It can be used to process room payments in hotels and also food and beverages or even things like Spa treatments, helping you

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Don’t get hacked off by cyber-crime!

Don’t assume that just because you are a small to medium sized business, that you won’t be targeted by cyber criminals. The hotel, restaurant and hospitality and leisure sectors are possibly more vulnerable because of having small IT teams and a lack of knowledge around protection and best-practice. Cyber criminals

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The importance of financial planning for small hospitality businesses

Small hospitality businesses face unique financial challenges, such as fluctuating revenue, seasonal demand, and rising operating costs. In this environment, financial planning is critical to achieving long-term success. By taking a proactive approach to financial management, small businesses can ensure they have the resources and resilience to weather any challenges

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