Thornbridge's new cask-friendly lease
Derbyshire brewer and pub operator Thornbridge has taken its second free-of-tie-on-cask-ale lease from Enterprise Inns and is eyeing more sites under the same agreement.
The brewer has taken the Hallamshire House in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, and plans to reopen it in September after a six-figure refurbishment, funded by Thornbridge and Enterprise.
Simon Webster, Thornbridge's chief operating officer, said: "It is a pub we have known for many years.
"It is packed full of character with a great history and boasts the only full-size snooker table left in a pub in the city."
Under the agreement, Thornbridge is tied on lagers, wines and soft drinks, but will be free to supply its own cask beer to the pub in a move that mirrors Everards' Project William.
Thornbridge opened another Sheffield pub, the Greystones, in November under the same agreement.
Thornbridge marketing manager Alex Buchanan said the Greystones is on track to turn over 600 barrels a year, compared to 152 barrels before the brewer took it on.
Average weekly turnover is £10,000-£11,000 after regular events such as live music, comedy shows and barbecues were laid on.
Buchanan said Thornbridge, which now operates nine pubs, is in "early discussions" about taking a couple more Enterprise sites, and is also looking at acquiring a freehold pub in Sheffield.
Duncan Marsden, divisional director of Enterprise Inns, said: "After the huge success of the Greystones in Sheffield, Enterprise Inns is delighted to have concluded another partnership lease with Thornbridge Brewery.
"Yet again, it allows this very successful brewer to develop another excellent retail proposition that builds on the strengths of its beer portfolio and high retailing standards within its South Yorkshire heartland."
