Barracuda Group will open 12 new boozers this month as it pushes on with its rapid expansion.

The move will create 270 new jobs at the managed pub chain and add £8m to its turnover. Turnover in 2005 was up 15% year-on-year at £108.8m.

New openings comprise nine Smith & Jones branded pubs, three student-focused Varsity bars and one Barracuda Bar.

Locations include Bathgate, Glasgow; Manchester, Brighton and Loughborough, Leicestershire. 

Barracuda’s chief executive and this year’s Catey Pub and Bar Industry Award winner, Mark McQuater said: “It will be quite a logistical feat launching 12 businesses over four weeks, but the team is very excited and confident it can be achieved.” 

80th Smith & Jones opened >>

Pub company Barracuda smashes through £100m barrier >>

By Chris Druce

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