Independent Operators

Things are looking up for Merrydown

22-Mar-1999

After a year in charge Nigel Freer is confident about the future for Merrydown. Merrydown's past few years have been turbulent, to say the...

Greenalls may be set for a shift in investment focus

01-Mar-1999

With news of yet another new face among the directors at Greenalls Pubs & Restaurants, it's clear that new broom Mark McQuater is planning some...

Eat or be eaten - a crossroads for Inn Business

22-Feb-1999

Inn Business is at a crossroads. Does it keep acquiring or be acquired?Eat or be eaten. That is the maxim that seems to be driving pub companies as...

Fat Cat Café Bar chain prepares to go national

15-Feb-1999

As the campaign builds up to attract more graduates to the licensed trade, one expanding pub company has already proved what can be achieved.The Fat...

Bass buys German bar chain

15-Feb-1999

Bass Leisure Retail (BLR) has expanded its pub market outside of the UK for the first time by buying a chain of German bars.The Birmingham-based...

Belgo chief looks at Rank acquisitions

09-Nov-1998

Bar entrepreneur Luke Johnson is believed to be interested in snapping up parts of the troubled Rank empire.Rank is facing a possible break-up of the...

Norfolk's Crownelm Properties enjoys the last laugh

21-Sep-1998

With 14 outlets turning over £2.5m, Crownelm Properties is now enjoying a very big last laugh. We report.With just £20,000 in their pockets, two...

Burning ambition from Ambishus Pub Company

07-Sep-1998

Ambishus has set the pub industry alight since it burst on to the scene. We report.With a background in the Magic Pub Company, it's no surprise that...

Big changes are on the way at Wizard Inns

15-Jun-1998

Wizard Inns has been making big changes to its portfolio recently. We speak to Chris Hutt, the man holding the wand.When Chris Hutt looked at some of...

Interpub rises up from a couple of crippling years

08-Jun-1998

After a disastrous couple of years that almost crippled the company, Interpub seems to have turned a corner. We report.With ambitious plans to roll...

The Head of Steam - the station buffet of the future?

18-May-1998

According to Tony Brookes' masterplan, waiting for a train will never be the same. Phil Mellows went trainspotting with the founder of Head of Steam....

Flotation for Mill House Inns? Chairman Bob Williams tells all...

06-Apr-1998

Mill House Inns is reaching an important phase in its development. We meet chairman Bob Williams.Flotation is on the minds of executives at Mill...

Avebury promises non-themed pubs

09-Feb-1998

Avebury Taverns, which recently more than doubled in size, has promised there will be no theming or branding in its 431 pubs.The independent operator...

Pubmaster's John Sands talks acquisitions

02-Feb-1998

In his first full interview for more than a year, Pubmaster managing director John Sands explains what has been going on. "This is the first time...

Ushers to seek buy-back option

02-Feb-1998

Ushers is seeking permission to buy back up to 15 per cent of its own shares.The announcement comes after a disappointing set of annual profits...

Mill House Inns continues to prosper

01-Dec-1997

Mill House Inns has enjoyed a meteoric rise since being formed two and a half years ago. We talk to chairman Bob Williams.Blue Streak, the first...

The Pub Estate Company has something to shout about...

27-Oct-1997

The Pub Estate Company has been keeping a low profile — until now. Lorna Harrison reports.One could be easily forgiven for not knowing anything...

Bass may use Burton to meet extra demand

06-Oct-1997

Bass may look at increasing production of Caffrey's and leading ale brands through the acquisition of Carlsberg-Tetley's (C-T) Burton brewery.Last...

Fuller's looks to the future with a new, thoroughly modern chain

22-Sep-1997

Fuller's is working on Project Green. Retail director Simon Emeny explains allFuller, Smith & Turner, the London brewer famous for traditional...

C-T stays silent over rumours of closures

04-Aug-1997

Carlsberg-Tetley (C-T) has refused to comment on speculation that it is to close its Alloa and Wrexham breweries.The breweries — thought to be the...

Ridleys keeps Essex appeal as it strengthens its divisions

21-Jul-1997

Ridleys Brewery is strengthening its retailing and brewing divisions. Lorna Harrison visits the picturesque site to determine its plans.Nobody would...

Jennings Brothers adapts to modern times

23-Jun-1997

At first glance it would seem easy for a regional brewer like Jennings Brothers to just rest on its laurels.In business since 1828, the company began...