Robinsons reports record year for turnover and profit

Turnover for its 2023 business reached £92.3m (2022: £83.1m) and delivered an increased operating profit of £6.1m (2022: £5.9m).

The company also reported the highest level of annual investment to date on both its brewing and pub estate with a combined year’s investment of £20.7m (2022: £14.6m).

Sixth-generation family members and joint managing directors William and Oliver Robinson said: “2023 was a momentous year at Robinsons​ as we completed our biggest year of investment to date while also achieving strong profits for the business. We saw increased sales in our managed house estate.

“We attribute these achievements to the outstanding individuals who work for and with Robinsons, ensuring excellent beer and experiences for our customers.

“We are pleased the industry recognised our dedication to our people and pubs, becoming finalists in two categories in The Publican Awards and achieving Bar Design of the Year.

Invested in people

“Alongside investing in our physical assets, we have invested in our people too. We have continued to champion our Aspire apprenticeship programme, train and develop our pub teams and grow pub support teams across the business.

“We have continued to champion the ‘Beer Crew’ - a group of partners, managers and colleagues across the business who create our seasonal beer range and are passionate about shaping the future of beer at Robinsons.”

They added in 2023, and in the current year, the business had experienced increased costs in energy, food and brewing raw materials, and mitigated some of those energy costs via a group purchasing agreement but said “volatility remains a threat”.

Meanwhile, its updated ‘Greener Retailing Guide’​ for its pub partners has allowed those businesses to assess cost and energy savings they can make.

“While we can encourage our pub partners and managers to be looking to make energy savings and take appropriate cost saving decisions, the tax burden our industry faces is concerning,” the Robinsons said.

“We hope the new Government carefully considers the cumulative tax and cost burden pubs are facing. The Government must give an extension to the current business rate support and give a reduction in beer duty in the forthcoming budget.

“Pubs and breweries are at the heart of many communities, Government recognition of the cumulative impact these taxes have on our sector is key to the survival and success of many of our pub businesses.”

Managed estate up to 30 pubs

Robinsons has continued to grow its managed houses, reaching 30 pubs and increasing the number of colleagues across its business and achieving record sales.

The managed estate investments included the purchase of Hartford Hall, near Northwich, and the Craven Heifer, in Kelbrook – both with food and accommodation offerings.

In total, Robinsons significantly invested in 25 pubs during 2023. Robinsons is in the process of installing a multimillion-pound brewery at its packaging centre that will be operational in early 2025​.

This investment sees the family brewer making technical enhancements to its beer production and enables it to increase the beer range and produce a greater range of seasonal and diverse beers.

Alongside the investments across the year, the company also conducted a share buyback and have taken on some debt as a result.

Robinsons continues to look for individual freehold pubs and/or small companies that match the Robinsons portfolio to add to its estate.