Stonegate rebrands pubs to Social Pub & Kitchen estate

04-Oct-2024 - Last updated on 04-Oct-2024 at 08:56 GMT

Sites transformed: the Anchor, Bristol, is one of the recently renovated Stonegate sites

Stonegate Group, the UK’s largest pubco, has launched a new brand to customers through its pub estate called Social Pub & Kitchen.

The new addition to the Midlands-headquartered business comes after the refurbishment and rebranding of some of its pubs across England and Scotland.

Having invested more than £5m into refurbishing its pubs in its 2024 financial year, Stonegate has pledged to put more money for 2025 to enhance its managed estate and support local communities with more than 300 jobs being created.

Although Social Pub & Kitchen has been a part of the managed Stonegate portfolio since 2022, the brand is now being introduced to consumers for the first time with newly transformed pubs and refreshed branding.

Sites have moved across from Stonegate’s Town Pub & Kitchen and Common Room brands to form the Social Pub & Kitchen division – which currently has 127 pubs – and will be recognisable from the shield and Hermes head symbols at each site.

Unique character

Although the business said it is difficult to estimate how much money it will commit to the project in 2025, it said it will be “significant” and in terms of marketing will be in excess of £500,000.

Stonegate Group marketing director James Metcalfe said: “It’s exciting to introduce Social Pub & Kitchen to the public as a brand that offers an inclusive, fun and individually crafted pub experience.

“We’ve thoughtfully invested in each site to ensure they are well-positioned for success, providing every pub with its own unique character while maintaining a strong, cohesive identity that celebrates exciting new food innovation, awesome draught beer and best in class sports experience.”

Stonegate Social Pub & Kitchen (clockwise from top left) Gosta Green; the City Arms, Oxford; the Bri — (Clockwise from top left) Gosta Green, Birmingham; the City Arms, Oxford; the Bristol Pear, Birmingham; and Off The Wall, Chester

Stonegate said Social Pub & Kitchen’s aim is to provide a modern twist on a traditional pub and proposes to combine high-quality drinks, sociable, shareable food and laid-back atmospheres.

On its target for site numbers, Stonegate said: “There are 127 sites operating under the brand. It’s about first consolidating our current estate, which is substantial, and investing in that but the business is always looking for further opportunities.”

Revamped spaces

It added the new branding “reflects a fresh, modern aesthetic, with distinct individual touches at each location, from local artist collaborations on signage to updated beer gardens and interior designs”.

Recent refurbed Social Pub & Kitchen sites include student and community pubs like Gosta Green and Bristol Pear in Birmingham, the Anchor in Bristol, the City Arms in Oxford and Off The Wall in Chester, with six-figure-sum investments.

With a focus on delivering premium entertainment, each site now boasts revamped spaces for watching live sports, enjoying craft beer and socialising with friends while also claiming to offer individuality at each pub.

There are homages to local football teams in some pubs, such as Oxford United at City Arms and Bristol Rovers at the Anchor.