Wolverhampton & Dudley Breweries (W&D) is to transfer 93 managed pubs to tenancy in a bid to offset rising cost pressures.

In a trading statement today W&D said the pubs would be transferred from its managed division Pathfinder into its tenanted business Union by the end of this month.

The pub company said the move would help reduce its operating costs, offsetting increases in energy prices and the minimum wage.

Chief executive Ralph Findlay said:  “We remain cautious about the outlook for consumer spending, and anticipate that legislative and cost pressures will continue.”

In the 24 weeks to 18 March 2006, like-for-like sales at Pathfinder were 1% ahead of last year.

Union’s like-for-like sales were also 1% ahead of the previous year.

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By Chris Druce

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