Pub group eyes expansion after reopenings

CITY Pub Group has said it hopes to more than double its estate to 100 pubs as its bosses struck an optimistic note despite the heavy toll of the coronavirus pandemic.

The company, which owns 45 drink-focused pubs and four development sites, tumbled to a £5.1m loss for the year to December after months of enforced closures.

However, the group said it is still positive about the future and saw “encouraging” early sales after venues reopened beer gardens and outdoor areas a month ago.

The group operates two pubs in Wales, both in Cardiff – The Pontcanna

Inn and Chapel 1877.

It told investors yesterday that its 24 pubs currently open have seen sales at 77% of the levels it saw over the same period in 2019, before the pandemic struck.

City Pub said it has seen “high levels of pent-up demand” and “significant” booking numbers for remaining sites which will reopen next week.

Clive Watson, executive chairman and founder of the business, said “things are moving in the right direction again” after a tough year.

“We’ve learned that the British punters are more hardy than we could have predicted and have been really keen to brave it despite bad weather,” he said.

“That definitely gives us reason to be optimistic when we can get people inside venues, because it seems like there is real demand to go the pub again.

“There still has to be an air of caution because there will be plenty of customers who haven’t returned but I’m really pleased at where we at right now.”

Mr Watson said he still believes the company can expand to 100 pub sites and will target more market town locations.