Peach Pubs looks to grow during recession

Ten-strong Peach Pubs group is aiming to make the most of the recession and expand its estate, including a possible debut in London.

Lee Cash, who launched Punch along with business partner Hamish Stoddart seven years ago, said that the group was looking to add to its portfolio this year, taking advantage of more realistic property prices.

"In this market you can push a little harder," he told Caterersearch.

Peach, which recently opened its tenth pub, the Embankment in Bedfordshire, has ambitions to extend from its predominant Midlands base to more than 20 sites, ranging as far north as Manchester and down to the south-coast.

As part of this, a London Peach pub is on the cards at some point as it would help the rest of the group in terms of profile, according to Cash.

Last month, Peach struck a deal with landlord Punch Taverns to buy the freeholds for its first pub, the Rose & Crown in Warwick, and the Swan in Salford, Milton Keynes, making it majority free-of-tie for the first time.

The company, which appointed its first operation director Paul Cutsforth earlier this year, is backed by Royal Bank of Scotland.

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By Chris Druce

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