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The climate in the Uk is getting better with people being alert. Only 11 Deaths recorded in the whole of the Uk on yesterday figs. Out of say 68 Million people the death rate is currently low with people generally being safe. However it still pays to be alert. What with three massive companies now in a race for a complete vaccine Marstons will soon be back. At least they appear to be getting some customers in now and some much needed cash flow through the tills. In fact with less people driving and commuting I did hear on the news the overall Death rate is now lower than normal. I will raise a pint to that!
barchid agree and add if Tenanted could either be a Freehouse where the tenant leases from Corporate Landlord who is only interested getting the Rent pften related to a minimum Barrelage. On the other hand it could be a Marstons property. The telltale sign would be Marstons name on the external signage, pershaps just... could provide further information, even a more precise location???
@just.....
I do think this is useful and insightful input, thanks for posting.
It might calm the bulls who try so hard to ignore the fact we have effectively lost our breweries and are left with what appears to be a string of rather fully valued & often sub par pubs.
I would say it was privately tenanted.
In fairness we didn't ask for table service as all members of staff (2) were behind the bar. Had we sat down for long enough someone might have come over but we just didn't get a good vibe hence we moved on.
The lack of screens is standard for Marstons. Did you try and get table service in the Marston's? If they couldn't accommodate you on that I am concerned. Was it a Marston's branded pub or a tenanted one?
''Sorry clicked post message before I'd finished''
Anyway as I said we felt uneasy with the lack of precautions and hence we walked to another pub.
My concern as an investor was the fact that the pub which had clearly put precautions in place and was offering table service only was busy whereas the MARS pub with no precautionary measures was actually really quiet.
Indeed, but not at the risk of safety. The pub was far from busy just what looked like a group of regulars sitting around the bar area putting potential new customers (like me) off.
Rest of the pub was empty was purely an observation and was purely a passer by who did not like what I saw and went elsewhere.
@ justaquickone. The Marston's CEO Ralph Findlay came out before the Pubs reopened and said this was what they were aiming for, to have the experience as close to normal and as unclinical as possible.
And as an investor, surely you should be happy rather than shocked to see lots of customers drinking?
I was just surprised. We went into a couple of pubs (well gardens) whilst we were away and generally they all seemed really organised and safety conscious. This particular MARS pub however, seemed to be in a time warp where Covid didn't exist and typically was the only pub I'm invested in. Just hope it was an isolated case and MARS have implemented better safety precautions elsewhere as it certainly put me and my wife off.
And no spike in infection rates! (Not Leicester I take it!)
Biggest problem is getting everyone commuting back to work - can understand not wanting to do that again but it’s inevitable at some point.
Apologies, meant to say narrow boat.
Has anyone visited a MARS pub recently. I'm not sure if this is an isolated case but I was somewhat shocked with a recent visit to a MARS pub. We hired a narrow last week and stopped overnight in a village in Stafford which had a MARS pub right on the Canal. I was shocked when I entered the bar area to see lots of people sat up the bar drinking, no screens on the tables / bar and no measures for track and trace as they did not ask us for any personal information. We felt very uncomfortable so left and went to a pub up the road which were offering table service outside and were clearly taking precautionary measures. Has anyone else visited a MARS pub recently ?
It could be anything, remember he was involved in Pizza Express, interested in buying All Bar One, it is a very large canvas he is looking at, and has form in.
Most likely he might bid for an asset within a plc, rather like Carlsberg did with Marstons breweries, he is not going to make it easy for punters to second guess him.
, imho.
You're welcome Barchid. By the way, can you think of other companies which might be the target of this if it's not Marstons. I might want to speculate on them come Monday. MAB seems too high capitalisation . Perhaps a gym operator?
Darkarches
A very good spot, thanks for drawing our attention to this.
Oddly enough it would probably suit Mars better if he made his bargain basement bid for another company similar to it as a bid like that would have a knock on effect across the sector.
Could this relate to Marstons ?!: https://news.sky.com/story/uks-blank-cheque-king-osmond-plots-stock-market-comeback-with-400m-float-12030473
We fall nicely within the values being quoted and are in the right sector. Perhaps those considering selling on Monday morning should hold off on the chance. Nothing confirmed yet.
Some excerpts:
'the entrepreneur was expected to target a deal in one of the industries in which he has invested successfully in the past, such as hospitality, leisure and insurance'
'The listing of Broadstone Acquisition Corp will aim to raise between $300m and $400m, with a takeover likely to be valued somewhere in the region of double that, according to people briefed on the plan.'
'Among Mr Osmond's other major deals was the establishment of Punch Taverns, which he created in 1997 by acquiring Bass's estate of leased pubs and combining it with the £2.75bn takeover of Allied Domecq's pubs business.'
Co-incidentally just recieved (12.00) a mail from Marstons thank ing me for my patronage and offering 20% off my next visit ( already get 20% on the Privilege card) doubt that will mean 40% for a shareholder!!!
Considering the Hotel was limiting personal contact there was no provision for feedback even the online message today has not asked.
The Independant Inn sent a me a satisfaction questionaire immediately ( I only left Friday morning and was in my inbox last night)
Fiona I will write direct as I have done before. Just hope some action is taken otherwise knowing how social media works, the company's reputation is going to suffer.
By the way I am not on FB, Twitter etc, they are a cess pit ( sorry to all reasonable subscribers)
Fairdealer
That is very interesting, so all good apart from the fact they failed to tell you no breakfast when booking, as the reason for that is covid it implies someone at the top has not thought this through, as you say it will hack people off even if the rest of the experience was good.
Appreciate your feedback.
It's such a shame that your stay at Marston's Inn accommodation was blighted by incorrect information that appears on the publically facing internet. I do take it you left this feedback with the receptionist on your departure? This would, in turn, be fed back up the chain where appropriate action can be taken either in simple steps of amendment of website details or omitting the option for food altogether. Perhaps giving the details of your stay with the grievance(s) via email (emily.mclachan@marstons.co.uk) so this can be forwarded to the right resource team thus preventing the bitter after taste. It is good to read that strict measures are being taken serious as this is the "confidence" that people need to know & feel when considering going to a Marstons establishment.
Good morning Barchid arrived home late last night after a marathon trip.
Stayed at 2 pub/hotels so got a comparitor between private operated and corporate(Marstons)
As usual Marstons accomodation clock is separate to the pub and resturant. A relatively modern complex where they have strict protocols to prevent CV19. It was clear the Hotel and Pub were operation on a skeleton staff ( the same member of staff was moving between the Pub and Hotel). This is fine as costs must be controlled, it did not impact on comfort, but one did detect the member of staff was kept very fit.
The pub was not over busy even though in a good location. I would say there were less than 10 patrons in the pub/Restaurant, 20-25% of customers. The Accomodation block was 30-40% occupied.
The Hotel is tidy and clean and ample parking.
THERE IS ONE BIG NEGATIVE, ON MARSTONS BOOKING SITE BREAKFAST IS STATED AS AVAILABLE , FULL ENGLISH, CONTINENTAL OR A COMBINATION OF BOTH.
I wished a Breakfast however when checking in was told NO we cannot do. It was late and I did not remonstrate with the member of staff.
This IMO is very poor and no doubt other visitors would feel very agrieved.
Pub/Hotel 2 on the Welsh Board , which is independant, provided breakfast as required. They have a timing arrangement to make sure a limited number are in the Restaurant at one time. This hotel was CHEAPER ( breakfast included) than Marstons. This was not the issue, the fact Marstons did not keep to that advertised on the website, was to me a serious negative.
If the company does not deliver what is promised it will have a detrimental effect on Foot-fall. Bad news can travel fast.
That's putting it mildly Barchid. But I'm not gonna contaminate this board with it.
PM, a dipstick of note !
@Barchid
Hi mate. I've been neglecting my duties on this board myself of late. I've been a bit distracted on a Facebook page dedicated to my loathing of Piers Morgan. It's eaten a lot more of my time than I thought it would so I'm taking a bit of time away from it to spend time here.
@fairdealer
Do you have a report on the Marstons Motel you tried out on Tuesday ?
Postings have been v quiet this week from the usual enthusiasts and price predictors aka Mystic Meg, possibly because Mars have gone down whilst rest of market has gone up .