Marston’s

Coverage tracks the performance, strategy, and estate management of one of the UK’s largest pub operators, with more than 1,400 sites nationwide. Reporting includes updates on investment in food-led formats, pub refurbishments, leadership changes, digital ordering rollout, and the group’s brewing partnership with Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company (CMBC). Insight is tailored for pub operators, landlords, and suppliers monitoring market share, value-led positioning, and branded community-focused pub models.

Feb- 2021 -

11 February

Pubs and Bars

Platinum abandons Marston’s takeover

Platinum Equity, a US-based private equity firm, has confirmed that it will no longer move forward with a proposed takeover of Marston’s, after the pub group “unanimously rejected” its proposal earlier this month. Last month, Marston’s confirmed that Platinum put forward an unsolicited, non-binding proposal of a possible cash bid…
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1 February

Breweries and Distilleries

US equity firm eyes Marston’s takeover

Marston’s, the brewery, pub and hotel operator, is reportedly subject to a takeover approach from the US-based private equity investment firm, Platinum Equity. According to Bloomberg, Marston’s revealed on Friday 29 February that Platinum put forward an unsolicited, non-binding proposal of a possible cash bid to the group. The company’s…
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Jan- 2021 -

8 January

Pubs and Bars

Marston’s Q1 trading ‘materially disrupted’ amid festive sales slump

Marston’s has announced that its trading in the first quarter of this year was “materially disrupted” due to continuous Covid-19 restrictions. In its latest update, the pub chain revealed total revenues came in at £54m over the three-month period, compared with sales in 2019 of £1.17bn. With pubs remaining closed…
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Dec- 2020 -

23 December

Pubs and Bars

Marston’s to take over 156 Brains pubs, saving 1,300 jobs

Marston’s is set to take over the operations of 156 S.A Brains pubs in Wales, in a move that is expected to save 1,300 jobs. The pub group will run the Brains pubs on a combination of leased and management contract arrangements, continuing to trade under the Brains brand to…
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Aug- 2020 -

21 August

Breweries and Distilleries

CMA launches probe into Marston’s and Carlsberg merger

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has announced it has launched a phase 1 investigation into the proposed merger of Marston’s brewing business with Carlsberg UK. It comes following the European Commission’s decision to refer the case to the United Kingdom and it invites comments on the transaction from any…
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Jul- 2020 -

15 July

Beverages

CAMRA urges CMA to probe Carlsberg and Marston’s merger

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has called on the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to “take the lead” and investigate the proposed Carlsberg and Marston’s merger, which it says could reduce the choice of beers available to pubgoers. The new appeal to CEO, Dr Andrea Coscelli, follows a string…
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Jun- 2020 -

26 June

News

Marston’s profits plunge as Covid-19 leads to £40m sales hit

Marston’s has said it remains “uncertain” about its short-term financial outlook, after its profits took a £40m hit following lockdown. Its latest update comes ahead of the reopening of its estate on 4 July. The brewer and operator revealed that its underlying profit before tax was £9.4m in the half-year…
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May- 2020 -

14 May

Coronavirus

Marston’s agrees £70m banking facility

Pub operator Marston’s has revealed it has agreed a £70m banking facility to help improve its liquidity during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. In a Covid-19 specific trading update it said it has taken a “highly prudent approach” in its management of the business during this period. It added that all…
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Nov- 2019 -

4 November

Pubs and Bars

Admiral Taverns acquires 137 pubs in Marston’s deal

Admiral Taverns has announced an expansion to its portfolio following the acquisition of 137 community pubs from Marston’s PLC. The £44.9m deal, expected to be complete by the end of November, is in line with Marston’s plans to reduce its debt through disposing of certain “non-core assets”. Ralph Findlay, chief…
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