O'Neill's stays strong
O'Neill's, the 86-strong Irish chain operated by Mitchells & Butlers, is defying claims that the Irish bar boom is over in the UK.
M&B boss Tim Clarke (pictured) has said the chain has just enjoyed its best year ever. M&B spokesman Jeremy Probert said: "It's had an extremely successful year and we're very pleased with its performance."
New Wolves & Dudley pubs on the go
Wolves & Dudley is making progress on opening 31 new managed pubs. The company, which is targeting new housing estates in particular, has three new-build pubs under construction with a further 28 under negotiation. Like-for-like sales in the company's managed Pathfinder division also rose by 2.8% in the 25 weeks to 20 March. Wolves' tenanted division saw like-for-like sales climb by 5.2%. Contracts have been exchanged to buy 11 pubs with negotiations to buy a further nine at an advanced stage.
Charles Wells buys Nightingale
Charles Wells has beaten off strong competition to buy the Nightingale bar and restaurant, the only pub on the Langford Village estate on the south side of Bicester, Oxfordshire. Six corporate bidders made final offers for the site invited for in excess of £1.3m which was on the market through agent Christie & Co.
Heritage re-opens Ram
Heritage Pub Company has re-opened the Ram in Wittlesey, Peterborough, which had been closed for two years under its previous owner Pennant Inns. The pub, which was closed because of a dispute between its tenant and Pennant, has had a complete refurbishment. Heritage managing director John O'Neill (pictured) said: "The first weekend at the Ram has been very good." Heritage also opened the Volunteer in Peterborough after a refurbishment. The pub was previously known as the Blue Peter.
