The group has already rolled out the format, which sees a capex of between a third and a half of the full PKB investment, to three sites so far, with a fourth in the Garforth area of Leeds, West Yorks, due this autumn.
The group has talked about operating 150 to 200 PKB sites and chief executive Rufus Hall told M&C Report that he could envisage up to a quarter of those operating as Lite.
“There is no drop in the quality of the offer. It still focuses on great beer, great food and 3D/HD sport, but rather than a full-blown refurbishment it will be a light sparkle. It is not a case of how much money you spend, but what you do with it.”
The group has placed the format in the Royal Marine, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear (£62,000 investment); the Plough, Stockport, Cheshire (£45,000); and the Bird in Hand, Dunstable, Bedfordshire (£72,000).
Sales uplift
Hall said the group has seen a 21% sales uplift at the Royal Marine since the format was introduced and a 28% return on investment. It currently operates 26 PKB sites with another 18 signed off for conversion.
“These are community pubs that most people are giving up on, but can still have a good future with the right offer. More of this type of site will be coming on the market over the coming year or so, and we hope to be in a position to take more on and use PKB to turn them around.”
This summer M&C Report revealed that Orchid’s owners, Deutsche Bank, had appointed business advisors to explore future options for the 242-strong group.