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Barchid, I tend to agree. Called at a well known Marstons Pub in the South West on sunday evening. The Restruant was roped off for around 10 tables ( full capacity is about 30) Could not get a meal. Asked the " manager" who stated only half the number of staff he would normally have, are on duty. Many Europeans have not returned.
This seems to be the story I have been hearing generally in the South West. Some Pubs/ Restruants are only opening limited hours. Maybe the North has a flush of workers?
Sadanby
Interesting your take on occupancy rates in the North, certainly in London where I live the picture is more a glass half empty than half full, reason being that staff issues seem to prevail. 2 locals to us where pre covid we'd enjoy going for a few drinks & a plate or three, one has no staff to open their kitchen & the other (a gastro pub) is on a very short menu due to staff shortages.
Neither are Mars pubs but it gives you an idea of the issues pubs are facing down here.
A report in City a.m. today said that "City Pubs group" were doing well so perhaps where we live is not a true reflection, breeds caution though.
Not too disappointing even at the current 83p, having sold a nice chunck at an average of 121p (end of 2019 - early 2020) and then bought back in at 47p, whilst it was a shame that it's dropped back from scaping 100p in July one really shouldn't complain at the current 83p. It will go back up to over 100p in the not too, too distant future.
I don’t know where live I live in the north and I can tell you now people are out drinking eating and spending a lot o money in bars and restaurants so it looks like the barrow boys are on this board
Ironically, many pub shares were higher during the lockdown than now.
Right now, Masrstons share price is disappointing. I've been adding at about 80p, my average price being just below 87p. Having said that, it looks like a long way to break even, yet alone to reach 100p.
Equally, MAB is quite disappointing right now. After selling just over half of my holding @ 288p (with a decent profit), I feel it's too early to start buying back.
I think Christmas period will be crucial. It looks like people are not going out like they used to at the moment. My guess is that there's much less disposable money available than many people think. Employment is not great in many sectors and those ones that are currently recruiting typically have low paid jobs. At the same time, prices are going up like crazy.
Daave
Not sure if you still watch this board but wondered what your thoughts were on Leppington's posts, on the face of it they would appear to be trying to emulate Dicken's character Mr Gradgrind which long term can't work ?
????????????????????????????????So as much as we know some people don't like talking Christmas too early .... WE DO!!!
We want to be as festive as we can this year as we get to spend the festive period together. As a new manager Ive arrived with no decorations on site and wondered if you lovely locals would like to help me tinsel up the place for you all!
I'm looking for anyone who has any spare decorations in their loft or if you're anything like my mum and change the colour scheme every year we would absolutely appreciate any donations towards our Xmas!! Let's make our Xmas together a great one
My old pubs new manager begging for decs for xmas. Really?????
Good to see 2 directors buying shares at 80p , 1 with 24,000 and the other with 20,000 .
Always good to see them putting their own money into the business and must think 80p ish is very cheap.
Of course businesses must be run to benefit Shareholders and stakeholders. Landlords are an integral part of a well run/organised company and the image they display either promotes or demotes the Brand. One suspects Marstons want totally managed Houses and Landlords are an inconvenience. This is dangerous territory as Landlords have a vested interest to provide a good service whereas managed Houses rely on casual staff,( we are seeing the result many hospitality Co's are having to manage.
The Beldale Landlords were given 3 months notice and even though they recieved much support are about to vacate.
I guess Mars has to run their business the way they are advised to to make the biggest profits and keep their shareholders happy, and that does sometimes means people losing out at some stage.
But as Tenants do you not have time agreements saying that niether side can walk or be put out without say a 6 months agreement in your contracts.
Very strange if the contract doesn't cover this. best of luck.
Leppington do you mean they have upped your rent, cost of beer supplied, a combination of both or some other cost that has been levied? Do they require access to your P&L?
consider this are used to take around 125,000 a year in profit over and above my 20% turnover money. The bully me out the 20% Of turnover pays for stuff £225,000 profit share becomes says I feel they are doing it this way in an attempt to make more money at the cost of the retailer
fairdealer
Agree, hard faced business tactics make regular punters run for the hills in what should be a friendly social atmosphere of the local pub.
So sad that they seem to be rowing in an opposite direction to their customers.
The actions taken by Marstons does nothing but harm the company's image. Could the company be in desparation stakes? It seems very odd to evict tenants, and one suspects there are others, who have worked hard to build a customer base in a pub with Local interest. One can only guess Marstons want to build an estate that is uniform throughout it's portfolio. All very well but many customers like a pub with character.
they are good at that. i know loads that have had the misfortune . Me included.
I'm still lurking in the supermarkets...and finding myself drawin into sales pitches
Finding customers think Hobgoblin Ruby is a 'fruit drink'
heeeeeemmmm
A stock that is beating expectations
All quiet on the marston’s front. Appreciate the humility of your £18 profit admission Jimster. Made a couple of hundred in this range myself. 82 ~ 86 at the moment, but the covid stuff just won’t disappear. The lass who wrote the Times article believes much of the value is already priced in, so who knows what we can hope for over the rest of the year.
Good article in the Times today intimating company was correct not to accept 105 deal and Carlsberg deal was a good move, Hold recommendation. As you would expect, now 2.5 % down. Good job the article was complimentary
I've been scalping a wee little bit on the bottom here...but man it's tough
( my last was the princely sum £17.83 yesterday :)
looks like we are improving here finally
Good
Good
How is everyone coming along ?
The Jimster
Think this will go back to 1.20-30 soon enough, maybe next year/xmas time when more debt is repaid
FT says MARS is now above its 200 day moving average, for those of us who are chart followers, I am not really but do like to keep an eye on what they say, as it can have a price influence.
I made an excellent return on an investment by selling fortuitously just before the initial lockdown and then again by buying back in at a sub 40p price a while ago.
I supported my local throughout the last year by using their takeaway service and some of the profits made to pay for 5 takeaways a week and I was gratified to be told on Sunday when eating there at lunchtime with my family that they were having to do two sittings as they were totally booked solid.
Hopefully this will continue throughout the estate as the pubs have had a really rough time.
It shouldn't harm the sp either.
@Barchid Sounds good mate. Hope you had a good time.