Weston Castle: Thwaites deal working well

Northern-based multiple operator Weston Castle has revealed its high risk strategy to work with Thwaites to reopen closed pubs is "working well".

Weston Castle has managed to "borrow" six closed pubs from Lancs brewer Daniel Thwaites in a freehold option deal.

Managing director Chris Tulloch said he entered a deal with Thwaites to take on the pubs from its disposal list.

The firm agreed a price slightly above market value, invests a minimum of £25,000 in refurbishment, but doesn't complete on the freehold deal for three years.

He said the deal was working well, with the pubs' average turnover hitting £6,000 a week.

Weston Castle runs 25 wet-led pubs with turnover in excess of £7m. It takes over closed or 'should-be-closed' pubs in 'developing areas' and invests heavily in refurbishment.

"It's a real point of difference and a real gamble," said Tulloch. "We always have only one bar, it may serve to more than one area or more than one room. The bar, in our opinion, is the real heart of the community pub and it's the most important thing in every refurbishment we do.

"Secondly, we take away pokey rooms, corridors and blind spots. This ensures that the bar is the centrepiece of a relatively open-plan venue and everything can be seen from

the bar."

Tulloch added that machine locations are very important too and Weston redesigns the entire layout so that it is able to continue to receive 20% of its profits from machines. There are also pool tables, jukeboxes, darts, bingo, live music and karaoke themed nights.

"For lower-end pubs, a bit of creativity goes a long way. It's the difference between survival and non-survival," said Tulloch. "There's still room for a community pub."