Pubco snaps up 18 Scottish outlets from Heineken
By Gillian McKenzie
PUBCO Admiral Taverns has re-established its presence in Scotland after snapping up 18 pubs from Heineken.
The outlets, which include the Imperial in Glasgow, the Westport Bar in Dundee and Amore Mio in Broughty Ferry, are part of a package of 111 pubs across the UK which Admiral bought from Heineken’s Star Pubs & Bars business for an undisclosed sum.
The deal will see Admiral, which has around 985 pubs down south, return to Scotland, where it last operated in 2008.
Andy Clifford, property and strategy director at Admiral Taverns, said the pubco is “very pleased with the acquisition and to be returning to Scotland”.
“These sites are high quality community pubs, which fit perfectly with the rest of our estate,” he said.
“We are confident that with our award-winning approach and commitment to forming supportive and positive partnerships with licensees, these pubs have a vibrant future.
“The acquisition illustrates our intention to grow and to reinforce our position as the UK’s leading operator of tenanted community pubs, and to this end we intend to identify further appropriate opportunities to build our estate across the UK.”
Heineken said the deal, under which it will continue to supply its beer and cider brands to the 111 pubs, follows a review of its pub estate and a “stated ambition to build a portfolio of pubs that have a more specific identity and profile”.
Its Star Pubs & Bars business now comprises around 1100 pubs across the UK, 136 of which are in Scotland.
Chris Moore, strategy and property director at the pubs firm, said: “Star Pubs & Bars has a strong estate of quality sites in Scotland and by the end of the year we will have invested £1.7 million in our Scottish pubs with 25% benefitting. We remain committed to further developing our Scottish estate, with the growth of sales of food and quality coffee being a major focus for our investment.”
