Ossett Brewery, the Yorkshire brewer and pub operator, is looking to open up to 10 sites under its Hop concept and will expand that format alongside community pub acquisitions, managing director Jamie Lawson has told M&C Report.
The company last month opened the Fox in York’s Holgate Road as a community pub and opens its fifth Hop in Saltaire, Bradford on 27 June.
“The idea is that we will expand both sides of the business in parallel. I think there are opportunities for both sides.
“We are probity looking at maybe two community pubs a year and one Hop a year.”
He said Ossett could open up to 10 Hops and he named Manchester and Newcastle among target locations; the company is seeking well populated areas for the concept.
The Hop in Saltaire will mirror the style of the others with a wide range of real ales, free live music and similar interior, although the fifth Hop will feature a wider food offer and more original features from the Grade II-listed pub will be maintained.
A stone-baked pizza oven like that in the York Hop will also be incorporated, Lawson said.
