Craft Union Pub Company invests £650k in four south-west pubs

07-Jan-2019 - Last updated on 07-Jan-2019 at 09:32 GMT

Key personnel: Craft Union operations director Frazer Grimbleby stressed the importance of operators to the business

Ei Group’s managed arm – Craft Union – has pumped more than half a million pounds into four pubs in the Plymouth area in a bid to rejuvenate the offer for the local community.

A total of £650,000 has been ploughed into the Cherry Tree in Pennycross; King’s Head and Newmarket Inn, both in Plymouth; and the Post Office Inn, in Plympton.

The investment has been used to refresh both the interior and exterior of the sites, in line with their original features.

The King’s Head was closed for some time prior to being converted to Craft Union, so the building was in need of maintenance as well as an internal refresh.

Vital role

Craft Union told The Morning Advertiser it is investing in areas all across the country, however, because these sites are in a cluster, the group wanted to highlight the significant investment in a particular community where, historically, the local pub has played a vital role.

This is in a bid to demonstrate Craft Union’s ongoing commitment to nurturing this and its goal of ‘putting great pubs back into the heart of the community’.

When asked if there were plans to invest a similar significant sum into other areas of the country, Craft Union said while it has its roots in the north of England, debuting its first pub in May 2015, it has recently added a host of sites nationwide.

These locations include Devon, Cornwall, East Anglia, Kent, Wales, Isle of Wight and, most recently, Plymouth.

Most important part

Ei Group continually evaluates its estate, identifying sites that might fit better within the Ei Managed Operations portfolio; half of Craft Union operators have joined from Ei Publican Partnerships, underlining the strength of the relationship between the businesses and with their local communities, therefore, it will be looking at opportunities across the country.

Craft Union Pub Company operations director Frazer Grimbleby said: “The operator is the most important part of our business and ensuring we have the right local person to operate the pub is an essential part of our model.

“With the support we provide them with as they practise their craft of running pubs, alongside the investment and expertise in areas such as sports viewing, quality interiors and affordable, value-led drinks, we are confident these pubs in Plymouth will continue to thrive.”