Brains invests £5m on pub revamps

Welsh brewer and pub operator SA Brain has announced plans to spend £5m renovating 22 pubs over the next 12 weeks.

Projects will range from small-scale redecoration through to major structural and repositioning work. Major work is already underway at the Boathouse in Bath and the Heath and Ty Mawr in Cardiff, with all expected to re-open before the summer, the company said.

Retail director Philip Lay said: "Last year we maintained our investment across our estate and we've seen some excellent results from the refurbished outlets.

"For example, at the Three Arches in Cardiff sales have more than doubled since our investment, and the Grape and Olive in Swansea is trading significantly ahead of evaluation. The latter is not only our highest venue - sitting at the top of Wales' tallest building — but has also become our highest weekly turnover site.

"Despite economic pressures our commitment to the hospitality sector within Wales and beyond has not waned. Customers are increasingly looking for higher levels of service and surroundings, which is why we are continuing to invest in our core estate, as well as new business opportunities as they arise."