Sheps invests £3m in its pubs

Kent brewer and pub operator Shepherd Neame is to invest £3m over the next year "to help see its licensees through the economic downturn". 

The company said this follows a detailed assessment across the estate to identify building projects that would make a difference to licensees' businesses.

Around 160 pubs - half of Shepherd Neame's tenanted pub estate - will receive internal and external refurbishments, such as bar developments, kitchen upgrades, garden and car park improvements, outdoor smoking areas and improved toilet facilities.

Shepherd Neame tied trade and property director George Barnes said: "We're all too aware of the difficult trading conditions facing businesses and have re-focused our pub investment strategy to support and motivate our licensees.

"We're confident that by investing in as many pubs as possible, all of our licensees will be in a strong position when trading conditions improve."

One of the first pubs to benefit from a £45,000 transformation is the Walnut Tree, Loose, Kent. 

A complete internal refurbishment has seen the main bar area transformed by the removal of a dividing wall to make a large, open-plan bar area. There are also new French doors and a staircase leading up to the garden. 

Licensee Phil Glover said: "The pub is almost unrecognisable. The new open-plan bar area makes best use of the space available and modernizes the pub without losing the charm of the building.  We hope that the new-look will give us the competitive edge."