Fuller’s revealed that after reopening 27 sites at the earliest opportunity after Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed that pubs could reopen from 4 July, further pubs would open in groups over the following weeks.
According to the operator’s reopening schedule announcement, by the end of July more 80% of Fuller’s 215 managed pubs and hotels – featuring more than 1,000 bedrooms – will be open.
Furthermore, the Group expects that the majority of its 179 tenanted pubs will resume trading during July.
Fuller’s pub estate is predominately found in the South of England – with 46% of its sites found within the M25 - and includes 15 Ale & Pie pubs, seven hotels in the Cotswolds and six country inns in the Home Counties under Bel & The Dragon.
However, as reported by The Morning Advertiser (MA), Fuller’s portfolio no longer includes 14-site pizza chain the Stable after it was sold to sourdough pizza and craft beer restaurant operator, Three Joes, in June for an undisclosed sum.
The release of Fuller’s reopening plans comes after Birmingham-based operator Mitchells & Butlers revealed plans to resume trade at 90% of its more than 1,700 sites before the end of July, while Bury St Edmonds-based Greene Kinghas pledged to reopen 1,294 managed sites on 6 July.
Additionally, Cornish brewer and pub operator St Austell Brewery plans to reopen more than 100 sites over the 4 July weekend, while Shepherd Neame will reopen more than 200 pubs in July.
