In summary
Butcombe Group consists of over 120 pubs, bars and inns with over 400 rooms, stretching across South of England and into the Channel Islands, employing over 1,900 people.
Butcombe Brewing Co. has a state-of-the-art brewery in Wrington, Bristol and a multi-million-pound distribution and bottling plant in Bridgwater, Somerset. Alongside its pubs and bars, Liberation Brewing Co. has a retail and wholesale business covering all of the Channel Islands.
Investment strategy
- Defensive, asset-backed business generating robust cash flow from its Channel Islands operations
- Capital growth generated through targeted capex within the UK estate, enhancing both the current estate and the acquisition of additional pubs
- Market share gains and synergies from acquisitions
Progress
Butcombe has made significant progress against a clear strategy to build a premium, food-led pub business underpinned by a world-class brewing operation. The team has successfully evolved the estate and brand proposition while continuing to invest in the quality and capability of the brewing business. Crucially, Butcombe navigated the unprecedented challenges of Covid with resilience and discipline, emerging stronger and more scalable. During this period, the Group took advantage of compelling opportunities to expand, acquiring a portfolio of pubs from Wadworth in 2020 and a further group from Cirrus Inns in 2022. Alongside this, sustained investment in people, technology, systems and data has strengthened operational performance and decision-making, supporting continued growth in both revenue and profitability.
Caledonia’s longer-term approach and values was one of the reasons for me taking the opportunity as CEO of Butcombe. They have fully supported me and my executive team since 2019 and demonstrated excellent judgement that has enabled us to invest, even during the pandemic, and grow into one of the leading premium operators within our sector.
Jonathan LawsonCEO, The Butcombe Group
