Marston's to introduce five new pub formats

Marston's, an operator with 1,339 venues across the UK, has laid out plans to introduce five new pub formats as the business looks to become a "high-margin, highly cash-generative local pub company". 

Outlining its new position on Capital Markets Day (CMD), the move will see the company shift away from brewing to focus entirely on pubs in the differentiated formats of 'locals', 'locals sport pub', 'adult dining pub', 'family pub' and the 'two-room pub'. 

Two new executive roles have been introduced to help steer the group in this new direction, with Neil Campbell, formerly of Whitbread and SSP Group, joining as chief operating officer, while Ed Hancock steps into the position of chief development officer. 

The announcement follows the news that the company had sold its 40% stake in Carlsberg Marston's Brewing Company for £206m in July. The businesses had merged into a joint venture worth £780m back in 2020, with Marston's starting to move its focus away from brewing. 

"Marston's is embarking on a new and exciting chapter as a pure play hospitality business," says chief executive Justin Platt. "At today's (16 October) CMD we are outlining a differentiated strategy for growth that is anchored in the needs of our guests and focused on driving sustained value for our shareholders.

"With a relentless focus on delivering amazing pub experiences, Marston's has a real opportunity to drive significant, incremental value in the coming years. We are very excited by the opportunities that lie ahead."

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