Daniel Thwaites, the Lancashire brewer and pub operator, has opened two pubs that had both previously been closed for more than two years following joint investments of over £500,000, M&C Report has learnt.
The Queens Arms in Warwick-on-Eden, Carlisle, has re-opened following a £300,000 investment and the appointment of new tenant, North Country Inns, which also operates three Cumbria outlets: the Brackenrigg Inn, the Bull Hotel and the Marton Arms. The Inn on The Green in Acomb, York, has relaunched with a new look and a new name (it was formerly The Britannia) after over £200,000 worth of investment.
Andrew Buchanan, director of pub operations at Thwaites, said: “The investment in the Queens Arms and the Inn on the Green has been a significant one for Thwaites, with the majority of financial support coming from us. This has paved the way for very experienced operators to come in at low cost and focus on what they do best - running a successful pub business. By providing such a flexible approach we are able to attract top class operators who are keen to achieve success but who have the drive and expertise to deliver.
“In the current climate it would have been an easy option to dispose of both sites but having recognised the potential in both sites, we worked extremely hard to ensure that we found the right tenants to operate both pubs successfully and to the highest possible standards.
“We’re committed to supporting our pub tenants and we’ve had to be patient to ensure that we got everything absolutely right. Now all the ingredients have come together perfectly to ensure that both pubs get off to the best possible start. We’re not interested in putting tenants in place too quickly as this only results in the failure of the pub. I am confident that in the case of the Queens Arms and the Inn on the Green that we have not only got the right tenants in place but have also got our strategy and investment levels absolutely spot on. Our patience has undoubtedly paid off.”
