Punch badges 106 pubs with Taylor Walker name

Punch Taverns has badged over 100 of its town and city centre pubs across the UK under one of Britain's most historic brewing names, Taylor Walker.

As first reported by M&C Report last September, the group has added the name, which is almost 300 years old, to 106 pubs within its managed arm — Punch Pub Company, so far.

The 106 pubs comprise 92 in London, such as the Audley in Mayfair, and a further 14 in towns and cities across the UK, including sites in Brighton and Edinburgh.

Further pubs are expected to be badged under the Taylor Walker name, such as Bar Vin in Horsham, West Sussex, as the year progresses.

Pivotal role​

Clive Briscoe, marketing director at Punch Pub Company, said: "A key element of our five-year plan is to focus on concept strategy of which Taylor Walker will play a pivotal role.

"This isn't a rebranding exercise but rather a mark of quality and assurance for guests, many of whom are tourists that enjoy visiting traditional British pubs, steeped in history.

"Using the Taylor Walker name offers us the opportunity to present a fantastic range of iconic pubs under a new umbrella. It's not about changing the pubs; we are just improving the offer whilst retaining the historical and individual elements of each venue."

A new Taylor Walker menu is also being implemented, which features new sharing platters, including a mini pie platter; a roast of the day; and the Big Ben burger.

The Taylor Walker name dates back to 1730. At its peak it operated more than 600 pubs, which eventually become part of Allied Domecq.

While many pubs from Allied became part of Punch Taverns, the Taylor Walker brand name is now actually owned by Carlsberg UK, after the brewing business of Allied was acquired by the Danish brewer. Punch and Carlsberg have signed an agreement that allows Punch to own the name in pub retailing.