Bidders battle for riverside pubs
British Waterways (BW) revealed the short-listed bidders for its Waterside Pub Partnership this week (Caterer, 4 December 2003, page 15).
The Brains Mansford Consortium, Punch Taverns and Spirit Group will now go forward to the final round of negotiations with an ultimate decision expected from BW by late summer 2004. The successful suitor will manage and develop the portfolio of 60 riverside pubs.
The British riverside economy is worth £1.5b a year, and half of this is spent on food and beverages.