Thursday 25th June 2026
The Ham Yard Hotel, London
Learn from the operators driving growth across the UK pub sector
The Pub Conference brings together the leaders shaping performance across the UK pub sector. As operators navigate rising costs, shifting consumer behaviour and evolving formats, this focused one-day event delivers the insight and strategies needed to drive growth. Why attend:
- Insight from leading operators including Loungers, Urban Pubs & Bars, Punch Pubs & Co and RedCat
- Real-world perspectives from operators, analysts and investors
- Practical strategies to improve performance, efficiency and long-term resilience
- Senior-level networking with major pub groups, independents and key industry stakeholders
Across the day, hear directly from the businesses leading growth in today’s market, from scaling high-performing formats to strengthening community-led pubs, building people-first cultures and unlocking new revenue streams.
Expect a curated programme of keynotes, interviews and panel discussions designed to deliver clear, actionable insight.
Registration opens at 9.30am, with sessions running 10am–4.30pm, followed by networking drinks.
Purchase your tickets
Supplier Ticket
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2026 Agenda
Presenting the latest data and analysis from Lumina Intelligence’s Pub Market Report 2026, insight lead Flora Zwolinski will explore how the UK pub sector is faring amid ongoing economic uncertainty. The session will unpack the latest consumer habits, menu innovations, and operator strategies driving performance across the industry. Attendees will also hear projections for how the channel is expected to evolve into 2026, offering valuable foresight for businesses planning for the year ahead.
After returning to private ownership with Fortress Investment Group last year, Loungers is pressing on with the day job, and working towards a ‘conservative’ target of 600 sites. As the Lounge, Cosy Club and Brightside operator pushes forward with expansion, CEO Nick Collins sits down to discuss preserving the company’s people culture amid rapid growth, the operational headwinds affecting the business and wider sector, and the intensity of maintaining a 14-hour all-day operation, as a new location opens every ten days.
Pubs may be operating in a challenging cost environment, but strong community-minded operators, with a tailored offering and strong value for money are still thriving. In this panel we’ll hear from the leaders of stand-out pub companies about how they’re cultivating social hubs and community values, partnering with local operators, and implementing innovative operating models.
Investment in people is vital – even when costs are tight. During this session our panellists will share which initiatives are having the biggest impact on team members’ engagement and performance, and why nurturing a welcoming and inclusive culture forms the backbone of business success.
Star Pubs & Bars continues to flex its formats, strengthening its Just Add Talent operations and continuing to put extensive investment into its core L&T estate, amid a tough operating environment. Managing director Lawson Mountstevens will share insight into what is driving him and his operations forward, the resilience of the wet-let community model, and how the Heineken-owned business is rising to meet mounting cost challenges facing the pub sector.
From critically acclaimed gastropubs in London to rural living in Wiltshire, the innovation showcase features a selection of dynamic, up-and-coming operators shaping the modern pub experience. We will hear from Ardent Pubs, whose founder will speak on redefining the 'gold standard of public houses' and curating a standout offer across food, drink, and experience. Chickpea Group will share their journey building a collection of 12 venues across Wiltshire, known for their proper hospitality and distinct pubs-with-rooms offering.
As economic turbulence continues to impact the global markets, AlixPartners director Craig Rachel explores the financial landscape for M&A activity in the pub sector. Looking at transactions and asset values in the market, Craig examines how consumer and structural trends are influencing the outlook for pub and bar prospects and deals in the short and medium term.
The pubs with rooms model is continuing to gain traction as pub operators look to sweat their assets and build new revenue streams. This panel will explore how combining high quality accommodation with distinctive, locally rooted food and drink can enhance higher profit margins and spend per head, extend dwell time, and strengthen a venue’s position within its community.
With some family brewers approaching 200 years in business, Britain’s regional pub operators have generations of tradition to draw from. But how do they tap into this rich brand heritage while ensuring they remain relevant in 2026? Our panel will hear from leaders at McMullen, Everards and Robinsons about how they are adapting to a shifting economic and consumer landscape, while facing up to issues such as business rates hikes, cost inflation and changes to business inheritance tax.
A packed-out pub on matchday is nothing new, but greater interest in sports across the spectrum is now giving rise to a (Mexican) wave of specialist sports formats in the UK. From premium, high-tech viewing experiences, to community pubs, to US-inspired sports bars, we’ll hear how sport concepts are driving higher revenue, longer dwell times, and stronger customer loyalty.
Urban Pubs and Bars have acquired 15 sites in the last 12 months, expanding to 66 pubs and restaurants across the capital, with annual sales well in excess of £100m. Founded 12 years ago by experienced operators Nick Pring and Malc Heap, the multi-award winning business includes some of London’s most iconic pubs, the Salt Yard restaurant group and the experience led concept, Bat and Ball. In this keynote Q&A, founder Nick Pring and managing director Chris Hill will share the vision and ambition behind the market leading operator-led group and the huge opportunity for future growth. They will touch on their uniquely differentiated proposition and how sites are empowered to build their offer around their local communities. Finally, they will share how the senior management team have led a relentless focus on operational excellence, with buy-in throughout the company.
Venue
The Pub Conference 2026 will take place at The Ham Yard Hotel, London
Address:
1 Ham Yard
London
W1D 7DT
