Brett opens 3rd pub in 12 months

A former Greene King regional manager is to open his third freehold pub in a year this week.

Toby Brett, 31, worked for Wadworth's and Greene King for a total of nine years before starting his own company, the Banwell House Pub Company a year ago.

Banwell House has bought freeholds from Punch, Enterprise Inns and a private vendor so far — with all pubs within a half hour of Bath. He opened the Duke of Cumberland in Holcombe, Somerset, a year ago, a former Punch pub with a skittle alley. The Three Horseshoes, Chapmanslade, Wiltshire, followed — a former Enterprise Inns pub. This week, he re-opens the Rose & Crown in Trowbridge which has been closed for two years.

Brett said: "The first thing that we did was get rid of the pink exterior, I think it is better known as the 'Pink Pub' than the Rose and Crown. "It is going to offer a good selection of real ales and some excellent wines, all by the glass.

"We are using local suppliers for the food, which will be served all day. The Rose & Crown will open at 9am every morning for coffee and cakes and will be open straight through to midnight seven days a week."

Brett was also a finalist in the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers awards for tenanted and managed regional managers a few years ago.