The pub industry appears to have downed a vodka and Redbull in the past few weeks. First, Marston’s received — and rejected — multiple offers from an American private equity firm. Then former Greene King boss Rooney Anand returned to the sector with £200 million in his pocket.
While Marston’s has hung on to its independence for now, there are certain to be deals ahead. City Pub Group, which owns 48 gastropubs, should be in a position to benefit from the M&A activity.
The group was founded in 2011 and floated on AIM in 2017. Its executive chairman, Clive Watson, previously ran Capital Pub Company, which was bought by Greene King for £93 million in 2011.
Watson, 59, is also known for his appearances on