Top pub groups in the UK 2008 – Industry data
Punch Taverns retained its crown as the UK's largest pub operator in 2008 with 8,400 outlets, according to the latest survey by the British Hospitality Association (BHA).
Arch-rival Enterprise Inns remained in second position with 7,700 outlets.
The report noted that pressures such as the smoking ban and falling beer sales have spurred many pubs to focus more strongly on food, with managed operators faring better in this area than tenanted or leased premises.
This trend, say some commentators, has added capacity to the market that is 6% above current levels of consumer demand, and will squeeze the pub and mid-spend restaurant sectors.
These figures are reported in British Hospitality: Trends and Statistics 2008, published by the British Hospitality Association.
The full report (which is free to BHA members) can be bought for £250 (for the printed version) or £200 (for a PDF file). Prices are progressively discounted as the year moves on. For enquiries or orders, phone 0207 404 7744 or contact bob.bacon@bha.org.uk.
View the top pub groups from the 2007 report >> View the top pub groups from the 2006 report >>
LEADING PUB GROUPS IN THE UK, 2008
Owner | Outlets 2008 | Outlets 2007 | Outlets 2006 | |
1 | Punch Taverns](http://www.punchtaverns.com/Punch) | 8,400 | 8,546 | 9,240 |
2 | [Enterprise Inns](http://www.enterpriseinns.com/home/home_flash.html) | 7,700 | 7,714 | 8,652 |
3 | [Admiral Taverns](http://www.admiraltaverns.co.uk/) | 2,500 | 2,700 | 1,214 |
4 | [Greene King](http://www.greeneking.co.uk/) | 2,500 | 1,478 | 1,512 |
5 | [Marston's](http://www.marstons.co.uk/) | 2,272 | 2,258 | 2,544 |
6 | [Mitchells & Butlers](http://www.mbplc.com/) | 2,000 | 1,351 | 1,389 |
7 | [Scottish & Newcastle](http://www.pub-enterprises.co.uk/) | 2,000 | - | - |
8 | [Wellington Pub Co](http://www.wellingtonpubcompany.co.uk/)[](http://www.nestle.co.uk/Home) | 855 | 838 | 851 |
9 | [JD Wetherspoon](http://www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk/) | 689 | 657 | 646 |
10 | [Trust Inns](http://www.trustinns.co.uk/) | 612 | 515 | 506 |
11 | [Pubfolio](http://www.pubfolio.co.uk/) | 545 | 250 | 782 |
12 | [Daniel Thwaites](http://www.thwaites.co.uk/) | 429 | 301 | 424 |
13 | [Frederic Robinson](http://www.fredericrobinson.co.uk/)[](http://www.tchibo.co.uk/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/uk/-/GBP/TdUkStorefront-Start) | 412 | 385 | 394 |
14 | [Shepherd Neame](http://www.shepherd-neame.co.uk/) | 371 | - | - |
15 | [Fuller, Smith & Turner | 361 | - | - |
Source: Horizons/Wordsmith & Company
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