Lees pays tribute to work of licensees

Manchester brewer and retailer JW Lees has paid tribute to the licensees running its 172 pubs, describing them as the backbone of the company. Family-owned Lees, which celebrates its 175th anniversary this year, said the phrase "people business" has never been more relevant to the licensed trade than today. Chairman Richard Lees-Jones told guests at the company's annual awards night that the success of any pub was down to the skills and flair of its licensee. "No matter how much we spend on a pub, we are still very much a people business ­ success is down to the licensee. "I like to think here at Lees we marry great beer, with great pubs run by dedicated licensees," he said. "Independence is our great strength. Our dual aims are to brew great beer and run a solid pub estate." The Tenancy of the Year went to Andrea and Lee Oliver, of the Washbrook Tavern, Chadderton near Oldham. The Managed House of the Year was won by John Cadwallader and Carol Holden, of the Spring Inn in Oldham. Lees is stepping up its pub acquisitions programme and has engaged a specialist operator to lead the search for new sites. David Walton has been appointed acquisitions manager and joins the company from licensed property agents Christie & Co. A number of pubs have already been earmarked and announcements are expected in the near future. June will see the launch of Lees' latest pub venture when the Success To The Plough opens its doors following a £500,000 development scheme. The company is also working on a major flagship managed house that will open early next year. The project, the Mansion House in Chester, will cost the company more than £1m.