Paramount sells 192 pubs in a year

Figures from London-based property agent Paramount Investments reveal that the firm sold almost 200 pubs in the past 12 months.

The company is Admiral Tavern's preferred seller and has sold 192 pubs from its single branch in West Hampstead through its team of six sales agents.

Paramount, which entered the pub market in 2005, sells sites without sales particulars and not necessarily as a going concern — although some sites are still trading at the point of exchange.

The lack of detailed information about sites means that deals can be made extremely quickly. This method of "bricks and mortar" selling suits alternative-use deals and quick disposals of closed or poorly-performing units.

Managing director Mark Greig said that while the company always hopes pubs will continue to trade, the current climate means that some pubs will inevitably be lost.

He said: "We can't confirm how many have changed use because after deals have gone through it's out of our hands — but it's a significant proportion.

"The figures represent ex-ceptional performance from a firm with just one office. I ascribe our success to a pro-active approach to selling, backed by a national database of potential buyers."

The firm is most active in the south selling 52 pubs in London and 34 in the south-east. It also has a strong presence in the north-west and the midlands, selling 43 and 37 respectively.