Thwaites' 'value' division

Northern brewer Daniel Thwaites has launched an experimental pubs division aimed at boosting business in some of the lowest volume sites across its 400-strong tied estate.

The new division, Rosewood Inns, is currently operating four pubs on a trial basis, but more could follow if the project proves an overall success.

The idea is to boost trade by offering drinkers value prices together with a package of retail assistance for tenants. Licensees are being offered special wholesale rates to enable them to sell beer, lager and other drinks at competitive prices.

Thwaites has brewed up a special 3.3% abv Rosewood Smooth beer, which retails at £1.65p a pint, and is also supplying Skol 4 lager, which sells for £1.75p per pint. Selected house-brand spirits are also supplied at rates enabling hosts to offer doubles at £2.

"We have earmarked a number of low-volume pubs for the scheme with the aim of getting beer sales moving again. A full basket of products is being made available to bring value pricing into these sites," said Thwaites pubs operations director Andrew Buchanan.

"Apart from lower prices we will also be offering tenants a full programme of assistance to help them maximise business opportunities," he added.

Buchanan stressed that the pubs had been carefully selected and were located in areas that would not impact on other Thwaites pubs.

"We are also looking at other pubs where we can use Rosewood and Skol 4 tactically," he revealed.

Conversion nears end​

Thwaites says it expects to complete the conversion of all its 37 managed houses to tenancy by the end of October.

The first pub to make the switch is the Saughall Hotel, Saughall Massie, on the Wirral, where existing managers Alan and Bernie Miller took over as tenants this week.

Five further deals have been agreed and expressions of interest have been made on 17 other pubs.

Thwaites says about 10 managers have opted to take over their pubs as tenants.

The company also revealed that 35 licensees have signed up for a new tenancy deal launched earlier this year.