Marston’s marches north

A MIDLANDS brewer and pub company with more than 2000 bars in England and Wales is aiming to make its first foray north of the border.

Marston’s has secured planning permission to build a 26-bedroom hotel with 180-cover bar restaurant in the East Lothian town of Dunbar.
The £5 million scheme, to be built by Cardiff-based Carter Lauren Construction Ltd, is one of several new-build projects the company says it has earmarked for Scotland.
Peter Dalzell, managing director of Marston’s Inns and Taverns, described the development as an “exciting opportunity” and said the company was “looking forward to meeting and building relationships with the people of Dunbar”.
According to the firm’s latest interim results, Marston’s is on target to complete 25 new-build pubs this financial year, and it intends to build 20 to 25 sites each year thereafter. A solid financial performance for the six months to the end of March saw group revenue rise 7.6% to £342m and underlying profit before tax jump 14.7% to £33.5m.