A 180-year-old family-run Stockport brewery has reported a record turnover of £75.5m in its latest full-year results.
Turnover at Robinsons Brewery, which operates 255 pubs, inns and hotels across the north west, increased 6.1 per cent for the year ended December 31, 2018, up from £71.2m reported the previous year.
Profit before tax also increased to £7.1m, up from £3.2m last year.
The brewery has attributed its success to “record” investment levels in recent years paying off, strong tenanted pub performance and the progression of its managed house business.
William Robinson, managing director, pub division, said: “Investment, licensee support and training have been key drivers over the last 5 years.
“During that time, we have invested £26.7m of capital expenditure and completed 127 refurbishments.
“As a result, our tenanted and managed pubs are in extremely good shape, trading well, and are in a strong position to continue to grow sales.”
Sales were also up in its 11-strong estate of managed pubs, which are company-run pubs, increased 24.7 per cent, which the brewery said was down to “strategic acquisitions and an increased focus on food”.
Robinsons acquired three pubs in north Wales in 2017, which the brewery said are now “trading succesffuly”, while it offloaded eight pubs in 2018.
The brewery also completed 19 customer-facing investments in their estate of tenanted pubs, pubs rented from the Brewery, at a cost of £2.2m.
Oliver Robinson, managing director, beer division, said 2018 was “both challenging and rewarding”.
“We operate in uncertain political and economic times and face increasing costs: rates re-valuation, national living wage, food inflation, auto enrolment, beer duty inflation and the potential risks and opportunities that Brexit may bring.
“Furthermore, we operate in an era of national decline in cask beer and more consumers than ever abstaining from alcohol.”
He continued: “After the ‘Beast from the East’ and associated appalling weather at the start of the year, the record-breaking temperatures over the summer and England’s successes in the World Cup provided a much-needed boost for our pubs.
“The CO2 shortages across Europe caused issues within our industry and beyond, however I am pleased to report we were able to continue to supply our pubs and customers without significant interruption.”
