Small pub firms toasting growth

SMALL pub companies are growing at twice the rate of large chains, seeing their turnover increase by almost a third in the past five years, a study has found.

The smaller firms have been expanding by acquiring new pubs and taking advantage of interest in more expensive craft beers and gastro pub meals, said commercial lender Ortus Secured Finance.

Chief executive Richard Beenstock said: “Smaller pub companies often have more freedom to experiment and respond to what the customer wants than the larger chains – and many have been able to transform the pubs sold by the big chains back into profitable enterprises.

“If the small chains and independents get their offering right, they can add significantly to their turnover and, more importantly, profit by shifting customers from mass market brands to local favourites.”