by Claire Hu Laurel has decided against converting all its Hogshead pubs to a new contemporary concept, and will instead retain a proportion as traditional outlets with a focus on real ale. The company is converting its 101-strong chain to a new "Hog's Head" pub format, incorporating table service, contemporary decor, more entertainment, express bars and bottled-drink stations by night. Laurel is in the process of identifying pubs which it does not believe will fit into the new look. Some Hogshead managers and Camra members have expressed an interest in retaining their traditional format and continuing to offer a wide selection of cask beers. Director of communications Maureen Heffernan stressed it would only affect a small percentage of the chain, and the company still intended to convert 100 pubs to the new Hog's Head brand. Suitable pubs from the rest of the 625 strong Laurel pub estate may be brought over into the Hog's Head brand to complete the 100. "As we are rolling out the concept, there will be some outlets that will remain in what we call the traditional concept," said Heffernan. "It could be because of their location or their type of customer. We are looking to see if every one is absolutely right for the new concept, and if they are not, we may transfer them into our more traditional venues." Options include transferring some Hogshead pubs into the Town Traditional brand, or they may retain their Hogshead name or take an individual pub name. The next 10 Hogshead venues earmarked for conversion are Aberdeen, Croydon, Glasgow, Leeds, Plymouth, Solihull, Wey-mouth plus America Square in Canary Wharf, Ealing and Lei-cester Square in central London. Writing in Camra newspaper, What's Brewing, Chris Wooddis-see, manager of Hogshead in Wolverhampton, said: "A sig-nificant percentage of the estate still provides a diverse offering of cask ales. "Six Hogsheads have already been taken out of the new estate and will remain virtually unchanged; these houses will now come under the banner of Town Traditional and will continue with the diverse cask offering.
