The pub operator called the 200th conversion a “pivotal milestone” in the strategy, which it said reflects its commitment to ensure every pub is positioned to “thrive” in the community it serves.
Over the past two years, Stonegate said it has reshaped its 4,300-strong estate to ensure each venue is positioned for long-term success.
Conversion
The conversion strategy is underpinned by data, insights and local market knowledge, enabling it to match each pub with the most effective operating model, it said.
The strategy is delivering an average profit uplift of £110,000 per pub. Stonegate said it was now offering a range of flexible agreements with a low barrier to entry, which has seen a seen a “material rise” in individual pub enquiries.
Stonegate Group CEO David McDowall said: “Our transformation is about positioning every pub for long-term success. Customers increasingly value the people behind the bar over the brand name above the door. By partnering with entrepreneurial operators, we’re building pubs that are more resilient, community-driven, and adaptable to evolving guest habits.”
Strategic Pivot
This “strategic pivot” means it now operates a managed estate, which now stands at 550 from 800 sites two years ago. However, the company said that the managed estate remains a key part of the group’s portfolio.
“The managed business continues to be an important part of our overall Group, and we remain very proud of our core managed estate of successful pubs, run by outstanding general managers,” said McDowall.
“The success of our conversion programme demonstrates the importance of placing the right pub in the right model and highlights the power of entrepreneurial operators in driving community engagement.”
