Crawford said the group’s long-term approach to financial discipline had ensured it could continue investing through challenging trading conditions.
“Investment is critical for us to stay ahead of the competition,” he told The Morning Advertiser (The MA). “We run a pretty efficient ship and manage the detail carefully so that we’ve got investment money available to put back into the pubs and help them maintain a strong position in their markets.”
External improvement projects
In the past 18 months, Pub People has completed around ten external improvement projects, typically in the £30,000–£40,000 range, alongside major refurbishments including a £250,000 upgrade at the Rutland Cottage in Ilkeston, a £1.1m post-fire redevelopment at the Marr Lodge near Doncaster, and a £1.4m full refurbishment of the 17-bedroom Dukeries Lodge at Sherwood Forest.
“We’ve seen that investment pay off - the Marr Lodge is now taking twice as much money as it did before,” Crawford said.
Following an active acquisition period in recent years, the group has shifted roughly 80% of capex towards enhancing existing sites. “The supply of suitable freeholds has tightened, so we’ve redirected more of our funds into improving our own estate,” Crawford explained.
Sustainability and biodiversity
Sustainability remains a key priority, with new biodiversity projects being introduced across rural sites. “We’re investing in beer gardens to improve biodiversity and link up with local community groups,” he said. “It won’t drive huge sales, but it broadens the appeal of the community pub and reinforces its role beyond just a place to drink.”
Crawford also credited new finance director Julie Centracchio, formerly interim finance director at JD Wetherspoons, with strengthening operational and compliance investment.
“Julie has brought a more professional and operational approach to financial management,” he said. “We’ve invested in fire suppression systems across all food sites and upgraded our technology to improve communication, stock management and health and safety oversight.”
Looking ahead, Crawford said the group remains confident about maintaining investment levels into 2026. “We’ve got a strong capex programme planned - we’ll focus on the priority projects that deliver value and creatively enhance sites.”
“We’re also looking at acquisitions where the right pubs come along, but they’ve got to be the right sites.”
