Publican Awards 2024 Best Managed Pub Company (51+ sites) winner, sponsored by Budweiser Brewing Group UK&I: Liberation Group

Its successful premiumisation strategy; strong food, drink and accommodation sales growth; impactful initiatives around its people offer (including team culture), as well as exciting events and marketing initiatives and new central bookings team have all contributed to a successful year for the business.

The multi-faceted operator has 78 managed pubs/inns across South England and the Channel Islands, a growing rooms business and two breweries – Liberation Brewery in Jersey and Butcombe Brewery, near Bristol.

Company acquisitions

The private equity backed business has venues from Mayfair to St Aubin Bay and made its entry into the London market following the acquisition of Cirrus Inns in December 2022, with pubs such as The Punch Bowl in Mayfair, The Cross Keys in Chelsea and The Brown Cow in Fulham added to the estate. Currently 48 of its sites have premium bedrooms with 220 rooms across the company, with a target of 700 rooms.

Its impressive range of menu offers, including impactful outdoor offers, are overseen by its talented food team led by director of food Alice Bowyer. Some sites have head chef led menus, including the Methuen Arms in Corsham, Wiltshire, which is featured in the Top 50 Gastropubs 2024.

The creation of its Liberation Support Chefs team, offering flexible working, has had a big impact on back of house job satisfaction.

Ongoing investment

Liberation Group also continues to invest significantly in developing its training offer, with initiatives including its assistant manager, train the trainer programmes and new tools to help ensure consistent operational standards all driving big benefits to the business in the past year.

Training sessions with The Burnt Chef Project have also proved invaluable as well as a big continuing focus on creating an open culture where the wellbeing of its team members is key.