𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

A UK pub group boss has insisted that his business is a “story of resilience” after liquidating his previous firm. The Express reported earlier this week that Happy Wolf Pub Company Ltd. has collapsed. Now, the director of its replacement, The Wolf Cub Collective Ltd., Jack McEntee, 34, has said his operation is on a much surer footing.

Originally from Wolverhampton, the hospitality boss has worked in the sector since he was a teenager, including spending five years overseas. He has managed sites in the Leicestershire and Warwickshire countryside, before starting his own pub group in 2020 following redundancy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr McEntee oversees three pubs in Warwickshire – The Cherington in Shipston on Stour, The Peacock in Oxhill and The Yew Tree in Avon Dassett.

He said: “This is a positive story about the continuation and growth of well-loved countryside pubs.”

Following a restructure earlier this year, the business has transitioned to its new company, with all three sites continuing to trade under new leases from April 1, 2026.

The change was “necessary as cash flow was being soaked up by previous mistakes”, the director added.

“My business management wasn’t as strong as it is now so we were hitting lower margins, that combined with the suffocating and unforgiving tax costs just didn’t work as a combination.”

It comes as pubs across the UK are operating in a challenging environment, caused by high operational costs; higher employer national insurance contributions, imposed by the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves; steep business rate hikes and reduced consumer spending.

“It’s the main reason for the restructure,” Mr McEntee said.

“The cost of everything keeps rising whilst no support is ever given to hospitality. We’ve got the highest VAT rates in Europe and it’s not recognised that we have to pay tax on our sales but can’t claim VAT back on our food costs.

“We buy a steak and claim no tax back, but add some salt and pepper and stick it on the grill and we have to pay 20%!

“We can’t keep putting our prices up as we’ll lose customers so we’re stuck between a rock and a hard place until government support is given.”

The director added: “The restructure has allowed us to begin with far better margins and cost management from the offset, going into our busiest ever spring and summer, revealing a far stronger potential going forward.”

The London Gazette stated that liquidators were appointed by members and creditors of Happy Wolf Pub Company Ltd. on March 30 for a creditors’ voluntary process, suggesting that the company had become insolvent, and is being voluntarily closed to manage debt repayment.

All pubs remain open and are “trading strongly”, and more than 40 jobs have been retained, with no redundancies, Mr McEntee said.

In addition, “all key local suppliers have been kept on and we have a strong working relationship, and “trade is now at its strongest level to date”, he added.

The director said: “The restructure has allowed us to reset the business financially and put it on a stable footing, ensuring these pubs can continue to thrive long-term.

“We’ve also invested back into the sites, including a refurbishment at The Yew Tree in Avon Dassett, aligning the venue with the quality of our food and drink offering.

“This is ultimately a story of resilience in the hospitality sector — demonstrating that with the right approach, businesses can navigate industry challenges and come back stronger.”

The businessman also highlighted that sister brand WanderBar continues to expand across the Midlands, with new openings and partnerships planned for 2026.