Lincoln Green Brewery founder Anthony Hughes has told MCA that he expects to open two sites this year as he seeks to build a six-strong pub estate.
The Nottinghamshire-based group is set to open the Station Hotel in Hucknall – its first site with Star Pubs & Bars – next month after a £235,000 joint refurbishment.
Hughes, whose first two pubs - the Robin Hood and Little John in Arnold, and Sir John Borlase Warren in Canning Circus – were opened under Everards’ Project William scheme, said he would like to open a further pub this year.
The group was due to take on Greene King site The Lord Clyde in Kimberley before Christmas but the deal fell through.
Former Dolland & Aitchison and Arcadia executive Hughes, who launched Lincoln Green in 2011, operates his pubs under a retail agreement.
He said: “We are a small head office and we’ve not taken a cookie cutter approach to our pubs so a ‘manchise’ operation seems to be the best way to operate.
“We have seen a fantastic turnaround in the two pubs we have taken on so far and we’re keen to grow our pub estate. We’re looking to grow within the distribution area of the brewery and we’ve identified 40 potential locations around Nottinghamshire.”
The Station Hotel is due to open in mid to late February and a second phase of refurbishment is already planned for next year which will include the first-floor function room, breakfast room and modernisation of the six second-floor letting rooms.
The pub will have 10 hand pulls on each bar displaying four Lincoln Green beers as well as six guest ales. Food will be a simple bar snack offer including lunchtime sandwiches as well as early evening pizzas and sharing platters. On Sundays there will be traditional roasts.
The company is also launching a Lincoln Green Loyalty Card programme offering customers points on all purchases which are redeemable in any Lincoln Green pub.
Hughes said: “Our joint investment with Star will improve the décor of the pub and our emphasis on quality drinks, food and service will make it a great community pub that locals can be proud of.
“At every new site we involve locals at an early stage to ensure we create a pub they want and will use. We encourage feedback from customers via an online survey to let us know what they want – or indeed what they don’t want – from their new local.”
Lawson Mountstevens, managing director of Star Pubs & Bars said: “The Station Hotel is ideally located for Anthony and Lynette and their team to capitalise on the pedestrianisation of the high street and the 3,000 new homes being built in the area before 2025.
“Their experience, clear vision and passion for cask ale together with the refurbishment will create a pub with long-term appeal. We wish them well.”
