Rob Willock
Rob Willock is group editor of M&C Report and The Publican’s Morning Advertiser, the pub trade’s weekly newspaper. Rob has 18 years’ experience in business journalism, and has edited magazines and websites covering transport, construction, grocery retail and human resources. And now – much more interestingly – pubs and restaurants! Rob recently completed a Masters degree in Business Administration (MBA).
Contact info
- Tel:
- 01293 610295
- Email:
- rob.willock@wrbm.com
OpinionThe tie untied
And so it came down to just eight MPs. Decades of political wrangling about the legality and fairness of the beer tie ended with a slim Parliamentary majority of 15 voting to give pub tenants of the largest pubcos a ‘market rent only’ (MRO) option – thus freeing them from this historic and oft-abused mechanism.
- Opinion
The fine line between genius and madness
Rob Willock, group editor of M&C Report and the Publican’s Morning Advertiser, responds to criticism levelled at the publications by JD Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin
- Opinion
Statutory code - let's accept it and move on
Could the Government have pulled off the impossible and satisfied both the pubcos and tenants with its plans for a statutory code in the tenanted pub sector? Rob Willock investigates
Analysis & InsightManaging expectations
It’s a little early to assess the full implications of Enterprise Inns’ move into managed pubs. But we already know enough from its first directly-run outlet, St James’ of Bermondsey, south-east London to suggest the company is serious about developing an estate of well-invested and properly promoted managed pubs in the capital and beyond
OpinionHorses for courses, venues for menus
A three course meal at a pub now costs – on average – just £1.99 less than a three course meal at a restaurant (£18.67 vs £20.66), according to Horizons’ latest Menurama survey. Rob Willock explores the dynamic of price points in pubs versus restaurants, particularly as the lines between the two continue to blur with the rise of hybrid concepts
- Analysis & Insight
The eyes have it
Heineken UK managing director David Forde is not about to let the industry settle for high taxation, substandard beer or boring pubs
- News
Gov't being deceived over pub closure numbers
Nearly one in six pubs that were operating as tenancies in 2005 are no longer trading in that capacity — leading to accusations that the Government is being deceived over pub closure statistics
OpinionPubco for sale, two careful owners
Orchid boss Rufus Hall is on a charm offensive as he tells Rob Willock the story of the group’s rise and rise from the ashes of a pre-pack to a successful estate of 250 pubs that are positively blooming
OpinionThe price is wrong
Tenanted pub companies have been putting their houses in order in recent years, but one area of the relationship remains unregulated and potentially unfair - beer pricing
- Opinion
It's nothing personal
Of all things the pub industry would like Government to consider to help the sector, the abolition of personal licences is quite a long way down the list, argues Rob Willock
- Opinion
Light at the end of the tunnel?
A new report from Mintel suggests that the worst could be over for the pub sector, and urges the industry to focus on the customer experience.
- Opinion
Eye on the prize
VAT campaigner Jacques Borel remains positive about his chances of achieving a VAT cut
- Opinion
Irreplicable qualities
Group editor Rob Willock coins a new word for the eating and drinking out sector
- Opinion
Regulators, mount up!
The consultation process into regulating the pubco/tenant relationshiop begins
- Opinion
It’s the weather, stupid
Frustration with the use of weather reports to explain all like-for-like sales performance variations