Marstons in Brewery buy in UK

Pubs and brewing group Marston’s today boosted its premium ale offering after buying Hampshire brewer Ringwood for £19.2m (€28.3m).

Ringwood, whose leading ale brands include Old Thumper, Fortyniner and Ringwood Best Bitter, supplies around 700 customers in southern England.

Marston’s adds the firm to its existing range of regional brewers, which include Midlands-based Banks’s and Lake District brewer Jennings.

The deal for Ringwood increases Marston’s presence in the south, and follows its £155.1m (€229m) acquisition of pubs chain Eldridge Pope in January this year.

It comes as part of the company’s strategy of boosting its regional beers to complement its nationwide range, which is led by flagship brand Marston’s Pedigree.

Marston’s Beer Company managing director Alistair Darby said: “We plan to develop Ringwood’s excellent brands as part of our strategy to meet consumer demand for premium ales with local provenance and heritage.”

Family-owned Ringwood, which has 68 staff, was founded in 1978. Alongside its brewery, the company has seven freehold pubs in villages and towns including Bournemouth, Weymouth and Poole, which will be added to its new owner’s estate of more than 2,200 pubs.

Marston’s, which also owns the Pitcher & Piano chain, made underlying pre-tax profits of £41.6m (€61.2m) in the six months to March 31.