Hall & Woodhouse reports rise in FY profits, managed sites had “an excellent year”: Brewer and pub operator Hall & Woodhouse, which operates circa 150 pubs, has hailed an “excellent year” with a “significant increase in profitability”. The company reported underlying pre-tax profit increased by 25% to £8.1m in the year to 25 January 2025 from £6.5m in 2024. Statutory profit after tax decreased to £4.1m from £9.5m the prior period, principally due to the previous year benefitting from the profit on the sale of the Rio soft drink brand. Net debt was reduced to £35.5n despite capital expenditure of £16.5m. Anthony Woodhouse, chairman, told Bournemouth News: “Our Managed Houses had an excellent year with a significant increase in profitability. Despite the poor weather and general economic situation, it was reassuring that our guests were keen to choose our pubs on ‘high days and holidays’. As well as continued investment in our existing estate, we opened our latest new build H&W Crowthorne shortly after the year end, which has got off to a positive start.” Woodhouse said the firm’s business partner business had “another solid year” with profits slightly ahead of the previous year. “The quality of the estate, our Business Partners, and the support that we provide means that this is a very stable, cash generative, and valuable business,” he said. “The premium bottled ale market in the off trade is under pressure from falling volumes and increasing costs and regulation. The Badger range performed solidly in this context, broadly maintaining volumes. Our craft keg ale range, Outland, performed very well in our houses with the rapid growth more than out-weighing the decline in Badger cask ale. In a year when the focus has quite rightly been on continuing to drive profitability, it is doubly pleasing that we have stayed true to our purpose and values. For example, by continuing to pay the equivalent of the Real Living Wage as a minimum, by being selected as one of the Times’ 70 Top Big Employers in the UK for the second consecutive year, and by increasing the amount we have donated and raised for local good causes to over £800,000 in the year. We have published a full Impact Report, separately. We are looking to make further progress this year. This has been aided by the good weather, but hampered by cost escalation, not least from the steep increase in employer National Insurance contributions in the October Budget.”

Chopstix launches frozen meal range: Fast-growing, quick service restaurant brand Chopstix is now available in supermarket freezers for the first time, with a brand-new frozen ready meal range launched exclusively at The Food Warehouse. From sweet and sour chicken to K-POP bbq chicken, Chopstix has launched seven of the brand’s dishes at home. Other dishes available include salt and pepper chicken, Chinese chicken curry, beef teriyaki, firecracker chicken, and the indulgent signature caramel drizzle chicken. To bring the range to market, Chopstix has partnered with Inspired Global Cuisine. The frozen ready meals are available now from £4, exclusively at The Food Warehouse. Elio Elia, product director at Chopstix, said: “We’ve watched demand for our flavours skyrocket, and we knew it was time to bring Chopstix to homes across the UK. These meals deliver the same big, bold flavours our fans love – now just minutes away in your microwave or oven. The challenge was finding a partner who could help us to bring our ambition to life. Inspired Global Cuisine shared our approach and passion about the project, and we realised very quickly that they also shared our values. We’ve spent the last 12 months developing and innovating across our teams to ensure that the meals are a true reflection of our in-store product.” The company said this was just the start of its foray into retail, with plans “already bubbling away for more flavours and formats”.