Elgood’s, the Cambridgeshire brewer and pub operator, is to undergo a period of more focused support to build business across its tenanted estate, M&C Report has learnt.
Claire Simpson, one of three sisters who took charge of the family business eight years ago, is conducting an audit of the 33-strong estate to identify where support is needed.
“It’s very competitive at the moment and our pubs, which are mainly in rural locations, are feeling the strain,” she said. “We have closed three in the last five years and we’re hoping not to close any more - some of our houses are the only pub in the village, and we have to keep them open.
“So we’re visiting each pub to find out where the problems are and how we can help them, whether it’s expanding the number of dining covers, developing the kitchen or improving letting rooms.”
Meanwhile, the brewer’s spontaneously fermented lambic-style beers, branded Coolship, have been a “terrific success” in the United States, Simpson reported, and in a trial at the Rake Bar in London’s Borough Market sold out in 24 hours. Bar stockists are being sought in the capital.
The fruits of NPD success will be channeled into support for its licensees, Simpson said. “We want to really raise our profile with these new products, and we can use that to help our tenanted estate, which is such a large part of our business.”
She has already been encouraged by the return on investment at the Duck Inn at Stanhoe, Norfolk, which was totally refurbished and is now Elgood’s top pub.
The latest completed project is a restaurant at the Victory Inn at Clenchwarton, near King’s Lynn, and new tenants will soon be reopening after renovations at the Red Lion at Gedney Hill, Lincolnshire, which had been expected to be sold.
