Norwich Area Pubs

National Chains

Punch Taverns

1. : General

This is their claim, on the company's website; and can
readily be accepted at face-value. However they only
just pip Enterprise Inns, who have 7500 at the present
time (end of 2009)

They go on to summarise their Vision Statement :-

To be the pre-eminent pub group in the UK;
lean, innovative and dynamic; constantly striving
to provide a great service to our pubs, our Partners
and our colleagues; driven by a passion for
excellence in everything we do.

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2. : Takeovers by Punch Taverns

Four in particular have affected pubs in Norwich :-

• Firstly, in January 2003, Conquest Inns
  was taken over.
• Secondly, in November 2003 most of the
  Pubmaster outlets were absorbed.
  Pubmaster had earlier risen from the ashes
  of Brent Walker in 1991; and was the
  third largest operator.

Continued . . .

• Thirdly, in January 2006 they acquired the
  Spirit Group.
  This Group had already acquired the portfolio of
  Scottish & Newcastle pubs in November 2003.
  (S. & N. Retail)

• Fourthly, on 14th September of the same year,
  Mill House Inns.
  The company survives, as shown by their website;
  having diversified into everything under the sun,
  whilst still holding onto a number of leading hotels.

  So, it was only the pub portfolio which passed to
  Punch - just a couple were in the Norwich area.

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3. : By Any Other Name

The Spirit Group, for example, is now the division
which handles managed pubs : i.e. those where the
landlords have not taken out a lease on the property.

No attempt has been made to change the signs on
Pubmaster houses, quite a few of which can be found
in the City area.

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