Channel Islands' pubs up for sale

Channel Islands retail group SandpiperCI is looking to sell its 60-strong pub estate and brewery interests.

It also hopes to offload its drinks distribution businesses, Victor Hugo and Bucktrout & Co.

The 42 pubs in Jersey, 21 pubs in Guernsey and two pubs in Alderney have already attracted unsolicited enquiries from interested parties since SandpiperCI acquired the businesses in August.

Noting that a sale would enable the group to focus on its other retail activities including investments in four Marks & Spencer outlets, SandpiperCI's chief executive, Tony O'Neill said: "Whilst we have the appropriate expertise, we have identified that our pub estate, along with the two drinks distribution businesses would have greater potential if they were owned and operated by a company dedicated to that sector."

The company spoke to its 537 hospitality and non-food distribution staff across the Channel Islands last week, O'Neill said, and they would be informed at all stages of the sale process.

"We will continue to operate these businesses and provide high levels of service to our customers until a suitable purchaser emerges," he added.

Guernsey Licensed Victuallers' Association president Peter Leigh told a local newspaper on the Channel Islands that rumours had circulating for some time.

"With what has happened in the last few years we were expecting it and I think it would be quite pleasing if some of these pubs were sold as free houses," he said.