Tadcaster hits growth target

Tadcaster Pub Company has reached its target of building an estate of 50 pubs by the end of 2004, achieving an objective set at the company's launch just three years ago.

The 50th acquisition, the Old Cottage Tavern, in Burton-on-Trent, also marks Tadcaster Pub Company's first venture outside its heartland of Yorkshire and the north east.

"It's extremely satisfying to reach 50 outlets inside three years as this was one of our central launch objectives," said Tadcaster managing director James Crawfurd-Porter. "We have effectively doubled our estate year-on-year and expanding into the Midlands is vital as we focus now on driving the company forward and building our estate further.

"Our aim is to acquire an estate of businesses and business partners that, with targeted company investment and support, have a long-term future and can give tenants and lessees a sustainable living while providing an acceptable return on capital."

The Old Cottage Tavern is a cask-ale pub with a good food trade. Tadcaster Pub Company has asked Michelle Keen and husband David to become tenants after Michelle proved her business skills in working her way from chef to manageress under the pub's former owner.

"Where possible we retain the incumbent licensee or manager of a new property as their knowledge of the pub and customers is invaluable in ensuring a smooth transition between owners," continued James. The pub is also keeping cask ales on the bar supplied by the previous owner of the Old Cottage Tavern, who has his own micro-brewery.

The Old Cottage Tavern is one of five acquisitions in a busy purchasing period for Tad-caster, which has also bought the Bay Horse, in Great Smeaton, near Darlington, the Rose and Crown, Burmantofts, Leeds, the Hole in the Wall, Hull, and the Boosbeck Hotel, Saltburn, near Middlesbrough.