Henley brewer shows robust performance

Independent brewer and pub operator Brakspear has reported increased turnover and profits for the six months to 30 June.

The Oxfordshire company, based in Henley-on-Thames, said business during the half-year had been "robust" and that it was looking ahead to the rest of the year with "cautious optimism".

Group turnover in the six months increased to £9.3m (2000: £7.5m) with operating profit up 19% to £1.6m (2000: £1.4m). During the six months the company refurbished six pubs and bought two others. These were the Swan at Bicester, Oxfordshire and the Surprise, in Clerkenwell, London.

In the past six weeks it has begun work on refurbishing a further two pubs. It is also adding another six bedrooms to its six-bedroom White Hart in Nettlebed, Oxfordshire, and is introducing four bedrooms to the Perch and Pike in South Stoke, Oxfordshire.