Palmers eyes pubs beyond its Dorset heartland

Palmers, the Dorset brewer and pub operator, would consider acquisitions outside its heartland, chairman John Palmer has told M&C Report.

The company currently owns 55 pubs in Dorset, Somerset and Devon, and Palmer said: “There’s no saying we won’t stretch further afield.

“We’ll look for anything within 100 miles of the brewery. We have a very strong balance sheet and no borrowings. So we can make new purchases within our own means.”

Recent acquisitions for Palmers have included the Thimble Inn at Piddlehinton, Dorchester, and the Swan’s Nest near Exeter.

Palmer added: “It is a good time for companies like ourselves to make purchases and there are some good priced opportunities out there. But it’s still difficult to find the best quality sites.”

Earlier this month Palmers said that Jayson Perfect, who has spent 14 years in the managed division at Fuller’s, is to succeed Tim Woodrow as tenanted trade director. Palmer said he expected development of the food offer at Palmers pubs to be a major part of Perfect’s role.