Stonegate Group launches two new pub formats

Stonegate Group has announced the launch of two new pub formats within its managed estate, Heritage Pubs and Pubsmiths.

The move, Stonegate says, marks the evolution of its food-focused offer and aligns each pub with the needs and preferences of its surrounding community.

Both formats consist of a small batch of hand-picked pubs, 'passionate about the quality and variety of traditional home comforts'.

Heritage Pubs focus is on pub classics served in a family-friendly and rural setting, while Pubsmiths offers a drinks-led experience, serving small plates and shareable dishes in town and city destinations. 

As part of this development, Stonegate has invested over £150,000 into various assets. This includes guest engagement, new menus and digital platforms, and creatives for in-pub marketing materials. 

Why these two formats?

Stonegate says the vision behind creating these two separate formats was driven by data analysis and market research.

It identified that trading profiles and guest behaviours were strikingly different across its former Pub & Dining estate. 'Destination’ pubs in rural areas often report a 40% food mix, with visitors favouring Sunday lunches and daytime dining.

In contrast, town and city sites typically show a 20% food mix with peak visits midweek or evenings. By segmenting its food-focused offer into two new pub formats, Stonegate aims to provide more tailored offerings that best suit different locations and varying guest needs. 

"We recognised that there can no longer be a ‘one size fits all’ approach for our Pub & Dining estate," says David McDowall, CEO at Stonegate Group. "By segmenting these pubs into two new formats, with Heritage Pubs including destination sites and Pubsmiths as town and city pubs, we're able to better cater to the differing needs of our guests.

"This strategic decision was driven by listening to our team and guests, who shared their preferences, reasons for visiting, and suggestions for improvement. This evolution is about setting up every site for success, putting the right pubs in the right places with the right offerings, and we’re excited to see our guests’ response."

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