Robinsons to spend £7m upgrading its north west pub estate over the next two years

By Richard Siddle

Published: 13 September, 2013

Robinsons, the regional brewing business in Cheshire, is to invest £7 million on pub refurbishments during 2013 and 2014 as it looks to revamp and upgrade its offer across its 340 pub estate.

The move marks the brewer's 175th anniversary since it opened its first pub, The Unicorn Inn on Lower Hillgate, Stockport. It will spend £3.5m in both 2013 and 2014 as it looks to introduce a raft of new innovations to its pubs. David Harrison, operations director, explained: "These are really exciting times at the brewery. We currently have four new business development managers (and are recruiting a fifth) who, between them and our in-house design team, have developed 35 pubs this year with significant investment schemes. Ever more rewarding is that we are seeing volume growth to encourage a similar investment next year."

It has also invested a further £5m in upgrading its Victorian brew house and rebranding its range of ales along with launching new lines along with such partners as Iron Maiden and local celebrity chef, Simon Rimmer. It has also introduced a £2m visitors and training centre.

"Some of our pubs in the Lake District, North Wales and Cheshire are amongst the best pubs you will ever see," said Harrison. "But we need to continue to support our pubs at all levels in order to make the most of our diverse pub estate in the north west."

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