The next chapter

Having exited brewing, Brakspear is now focused on tenancies. By Lorna Harrison.

Following an era of controversy surrounding the sale of its centuries-old brewery, Oxfordshire-based Brakspear is relaunching its pub business with renewed vigour.

The well-publicised closure of the Henley town centre brewery site in 2002 and subsequent sale to a hotel group in 2003 was greeted with dismay by real ale fans nationally.

Locally, the press was particularly "venomous", says new chief executive Don Bridgman (pictured top)​. Residents blamed bad management for the loss of some 90-odd jobs and part of Henley's history.

Although he wasn't around to take the flak at the time, Don is keen to put this uncomfortable stage in Brakspear's 225-year-old history firmly in the past. He was brought on board last year, having spent almost 30 years working for Bass and is keen to move the company forward.

"There was great unease when the company announced closure of the site," he says. "But now that everyone realises they can still buy great Brakspear beers and still go to great Brakspear pubs, the initial concerns have died."

Refresh (UK) now brews Brakspear brands under licence.

After a national search for a suitable site to brew the beers, Refresh settled at its Wychwood Brewery home in nearby Witney, securing permission to extend. The first barrels were produced last June and were welcomed by real ale enthusiasts, pleased that the beers were being brewed in their home county using the original Brakspear Brewery equipment.

Three years after the initial announcement, Don is committed to seeing Brakspear re-launched as a pub company and, accompanied by his team, is shouting about the great things Brakspear is doing.

The company is focusing on running a good- quality tenanted estate, having shed its remaining managed houses last year.

It is poised to launch a new tenancy agreement and training package which it feels will make it more attractive to good potential tenants.

Letting rooms market​

The 101-pub estate is diverse, ranging from community locals to trendy high-street bars. Two million pounds a year is being invested to develop the pubs. It is keen to exploit the letting rooms market which is becoming a primary focus at existing pubs. "The Chilterns have always been under-bedded and we have seen the opportunity to fill the gap," says the director of the licensed estate David Queen. "Rooms add bigger profits to rural pubs and we have the ability and finance in place to invest in this side of the business."

David (pictured)​ says although only one pub was purchased last year, the company aims to acquire at least four a year and if it hits 10, he "would be delighted".

He explains: "We are keen to expand the estate but the barrier is price. We want nice buildings in affluent areas suited to selling good beer in quality surroundings - but prices are high."

Despite not moving forward on acquisitions as quickly as anticipated, the company is confident of reaching its target.

Closing a brewery is a decision never taken lightly by those involved, but pushing the sentiments aside, Brakspear management appears bullish about its future.

The change in direction delivered a solid year of growth during 2004, increasing operating profit by 3.7 per cent to £4.4m.

Brakspear milestones​

• Apr 2002:​ Brakspear reviews its business after admitting that major brewers are "squeezing it out on price"
• Jun 2002:​ Campaigners, led by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) launch a campaign to save the brewery
• Jul 2002:​ Brakspear announces it is to quit brewing to concentrate on pub retailing. Refresh (UK) will brew its brands under licence
• Jul 2003:​ After a year-long search for premises, Refresh announces plans to extend its Wychwood Brewery in Witney, Oxfordshire, using equipment from the Henley brewery
• Jan 2004:​ Brakspear announces plans to sell its managed pubs to concentrate on tenancies
• Mar 2004:​ Don Bridgman takes over as CEO
• Jun 2004:​ First casks of Brakspear beers are produced by Refresh.