Morning Advertiser
Morning Advertiser is a British trade publication covering the pub, bar, hospitality and licensed drinks sector.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Morning Advertiser is a British trade publication serving the licensed hospitality sector, particularly public houses, bars, drinks operators and related businesses. Its origins date to 1794, when it was established by the London Society of Licensed Victuallers as a newspaper intended to represent the interests of licensed victuallers. Rather than functioning primarily as a party-political newspaper, it focused on information and advocacy relevant to the licensed trade. This specialist orientation has remained central to the title's identity. The publication developed during a period in which newspapers became increasingly important sources of commercial, political and general information. By the middle of the nineteenth century, its circulation had become substantial. The paper reported circulation of 4,500 in 1836 and 7,600 in 1854, placing it among the more widely read newspapers of its era. Its circulation was second only to The Times at one point in the nineteenth century, according to historical accounts. In 1858, it became the first newspaper to subscribe to the Reuters news service, an important milestone in the development of its news-gathering capability. The title has also had links with notable journalists and contributors. Charles Dickens was an early contributor, while Alastair Campbell, who later became a journalist, broadcaster and Labour Party communications director, worked for the paper as a reporter early in his career. These associations reflect the publication's long history within the British newspaper and trade-press environment. Ownership and branding changed in the twenty-first century. In 2011, William Reed Ltd acquired The Publican from United Business Media and combined the two titles. The resulting publication was known as The Publican's Morning Advertiser and operated as a printed magazine supported by a news website. In July 2016, the brand returned to the shorter Morning Advertiser name, reconnecting the contemporary publication with its historic identity. The publication's business scope extends beyond daily or periodic news reporting. It organizes or supports industry-facing events and rankings, including The Great British Pub Awards, The Publican Awards, the MA Leaders Club, Top 50 Gastropubs, Top 50 Cocktail Bars and Top 50 Boutique Hotels. These activities position the brand as an information, recognition and networking platform for the licensed hospitality industry, rather than solely as a periodical publisher. In April 2020, the printed magazine was suspended and the publication moved to an online-only model. Its website became the primary outlet for news, analysis, commercial information and sector coverage. The transition reflected both the operational effects of the COVID-19 period and the broader migration of specialist publishing toward digital distribution. The Morning Advertiser remains an active UK trade-media brand under William Reed, focused on the professional needs of pub and hospitality operators.
History
Morning Advertiser began publication in 1794 under the name The Publican's Morning Advertiser. It was founded by the London Society of Licensed Victuallers to serve the professional and commercial interests of licensed victuallers. The newspaper was not established primarily as a vehicle for support of a political party; instead, its subject matter was oriented toward the licensed trade and the policy, business and operating issues affecting it. The paper expanded during the nineteenth century as the British newspaper market grew. Its recorded circulation was 4,500 in 1836 and 7,600 by 1854. Historical accounts describe it as having circulation second only to The Times during part of the nineteenth century. In 1858, it became the first newspaper to subscribe to Reuters' news service, marking an early adoption of a major commercial newswire. The publication's journalistic history includes contributions from Charles Dickens and early reporting work by Alastair Campbell. These associations connect the specialist title with the wider British journalism profession, although its core editorial purpose remained coverage for the licensed hospitality and drinks trade. In the modern publishing market, the title became part of William Reed Ltd's portfolio. William Reed acquired The Publican from United Business Media in 2011 and merged it with Morning Advertiser. For several years, the combined publication used the name The Publican's Morning Advertiser and appeared as a printed magazine with an accompanying news website. In July 2016, the shorter Morning Advertiser name was restored. The brand subsequently developed as more than a news title. It became associated with professional events, awards and sector rankings, including The Great British Pub Awards, The Publican Awards, the MA Leaders Club, Top 50 Gastropubs, Top 50 Cocktail Bars and Top 50 Boutique Hotels. These properties broadened its role from trade journalism into recognition, benchmarking and community-building for hospitality operators. In April 2020, publication of the printed magazine was suspended. Content continued online through the Morning Advertiser website, making the brand a digital-first trade publication. The online service covers the UK pub and hospitality sector and serves as the principal contemporary expression of a publication with roots extending back more than two centuries.
- 2020
Digital transition
[1]The printed magazine is suspended in April and the publication continues online.
- 2016
Historic name restored
[1]The publication resumes the Morning Advertiser name in July.
- 2011
Merger with The Publican
[1]William Reed acquires The Publican and merges it with Morning Advertiser under the combined title The Publican's Morning Advertiser.
- 1858
Reuters subscription
[1]The newspaper becomes the first newspaper to subscribe to the Reuters news service.
- 1854
Circulation expands further
[1]Recorded circulation rises to 7,600 copies.
- 1836
Nineteenth-century circulation growth
[1]Recorded circulation reaches 4,500 copies.
- 1794
Publication begins
[1]The London Society of Licensed Victuallers launches The Publican's Morning Advertiser as a newspaper for the licensed trade.
Products and positioning
A specialist UK trade-media platform for the pub, bar, licensed drinks and hospitality industries, combining sector journalism with awards, rankings and professional events.
Online trade publication
Morning Advertiser website
The brand's principal current publishing outlet, providing news and professional information for the UK pub, bar, licensed drinks and hospitality sectors. It became the primary channel after the printed magazine was suspended in April 2020.
Trade newspaper and magazine · 1794
Printed Morning Advertiser
The historic print publication served licensed victuallers and hospitality professionals from its eighteenth-century origins until the print edition was suspended in 2020. During the post-2011 combined-title period, it appeared as The Publican's Morning Advertiser.
Brand decisions
2020
Suspend print publicationStrategyBackground
The publication operated in a period of accelerating digital distribution and major disruption to the hospitality sector.
Action taken
The printed magazine was suspended in April, with content published through the website.
Aftermath
Morning Advertiser became an online-only publication focused on digital access to trade news and information.
2016
Restore the Morning Advertiser brand nameStrategyBackground
Following the 2011 combination with The Publican, the publication used the longer combined title.
Action taken
The publication returned to the Morning Advertiser name in July 2016.
Aftermath
The restored name re-established the historic brand identity while retaining the merged publication's trade-media role.
2011
Combine Morning Advertiser with The PublicanM&ABackground
William Reed Ltd acquired The Publican from United Business Media and brought it together with Morning Advertiser.
Action taken
The two titles were merged into The Publican's Morning Advertiser, a print magazine with a news website.
Aftermath
The combined publication operated under the new name until the historic Morning Advertiser name was restored in 2016.
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