Britain’s second-largest pub group Greene King is restructuring its estate, with plans to change how around 300 of its pubs are run — with 20 expected to close.
The group, which operates around 2,500 pubs across the UK, has reviewed its entire estate and identified 300 sites it believes would work better under a different model. Around 150 of these will be converted from directly managed pubs into tenanted, leased or franchised venues — meaning independent operators will run them day to day while Greene King retains ownership.
The remaining 150 will be evaluated for sale over the medium term. While the changes take place, all 300 sites will move into a new separate business unit, allowing Greene King to manage the changes.
Actual closures are limited — fewer than 20 sites, representing less than 2% of its managed estate, which the company said was in line with its normal annual activity. Staff affected by any changes will be offered jobs elsewhere in the business.
Money raised from sales will be reinvested into Greene King’s remaining core pubs.
