SA Brain investing £5m in upgrade to 22 pubs

Welsh pub operator SA Brain is to spend £5m upgrading 22 pubs across its estate.

The work will range from small scale decoration to major structural and repositioning work.

Major work is already underway at the Boathouse in Bath and the Heath and Ty Mawr in Cardiff, with all expected to re-open before the summer.

Philip Lay, retail director at Brains, said: "Despite economic pressures our commitment to the hospitality sector within Wales and beyond has not waned. Customers are increasingly looking for higher levels of service and surroundings, which is why we are continuing to invest in our core estate, as well as new business opportunities as they arise.

"Last year we maintained our investment across our estate and we've seen some excellent results from the refurbished outlets. For example, at the Three Arches in Cardiff, sales have more than doubled since our investment, and the Grape and Olive in Swansea is trading significantly ahead of evaluation. The latter is not only our highest venue - sitting at the top of Wales's tallest building - but has also become our highest weekly turnover site."

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By Neil Gerrard

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