Everards Brewery Ltd has announced a strong financial performance for the year ended 27th September, 2025, amid a challenging economic backdrop for pubs and hospitality.
Turnover increased to £37.9m (2024: £36.2m) and operating profit rose to £4.1m (2024: £2.1m). Adjusted operating profit was up 33% to £3.6m.
Growth was driven by strong trading across Everards’ 144-pub estate, operated under tenanted and managed partnership models, and the continued success of the Beer Hall at Everards Meadows, which achieved £3.9m in net sales, up 16% year on year.
While performance in the year, in real terms, was reminiscent of the success last seen by the company in 2018 (operating 19 fewer pubs than 2018), the hospitality sector faces mounting pressures under the Labour government.
The company continued to invest in its freehold estate, refurbishments, and digital platforms to support business owners. Reducing environmental impact continues to develop as a priority through energy-efficient refurbishments and waste reduction initiatives.
The financial year marked a significant leadership change, with Andy Wilson succeeding Stephen Gould as managing director. Stephen remains on the board as deputy chairman, in a non-executive capacity.
“Everards enters 2026 with strong foundations and a clear strategy, focused on long-term value creation,” said chairman Julian Everard. While cost pressures remain intense, our commitment to quality, partnership, and community ensures we are well positioned to navigate these challenges, working with our business owners.”
Andy Wilson added: “Our focus for 2026 is on supporting our business owners through proactive cost management, tools to enhance and grow business, and sustainability initiatives through investment.
“We will continue to champion the pub sector and call for fairer taxation and business rates reform to protect these vital community assets.”
• Pubs sold 32.9 million pints over the Easter bank holiday weekend, according to The Oxford Partnership. This is up 4.9% year on year, from 31.3m in 2025. Dwell time rose from an average 147 minutes to 153. Stout and world lager saw the biggest sales growth in beer categories.
• Simon Townsend has been named as the new chair of Adnams. He has been serving as interim chair. He is also chair of Wadworth, a non-executive director of JW Lees, a senior advisor at global consultancy Teneo, and a member of the advisory board of diversity and inclusion organisation WiHTL.
“I am pleased that the board have unanimously agreed to make Simon’s appointment as interim chair permanent,” said chief executive Jenny Hanlon. “Since his appointment, he has provided invaluable guidance and support during challenging trading conditions for the Company.”
• Pre-tax profit at Thorley Taverns rose to £1,769,471 in the year to 30th June, 2025, up from £984,701 the previous year.
“The company continued to invest in the development of its outlets to ensure Thorley’s venues are known for the excellence of their premises and of the goods and services they supply,” said director Phil Thorley. “Expenditure on repairs, renovation, and development for the year remained constant.
“It is recognised that any business is only as good as the people it employs, so the company has a clear strategy of recruitment and training to make certain that a highly skilled team is able to ensure that customers receive only the best service. These teams have been retained despite the extremely challenging conditions of the past year.”
• Dhillon’s Brewery is to reopen The Almanack in Kenilworth, Bedfordshire, at the end of next month. The former Peach Pubs venue was closed by administrators earlier this year.
• Saviour Bars is to take on three former BrewDog bars which were closed after Tilray Brands purchased many of the assets of the Scottish company. The venues are those in Basingstoke, Bath, and Bristol.
• Fuller’s has announced that Katie Horner will be its new chief financial officer. She will succeed Neil Smith, who will stand down before the end of the year.
