Unity Social expands with community focus as pubs reach 80 sites
Unity Social, the Punch Pubs & Co model, has grown from three original pubs to 80 in under two years and aims to exceed 200 as it tackles loneliness by turning pubs into community hubs. The venture operates through Unity Social Partners who are remunerated via a management fee linked to sales; operators fund staffing while Punch provides central support and other services. Area managers oversee no more than 12 pubs each and visit pubs twice a week to resolve issues, with average capital expenditure around £200,000 per new Unity Social site. The estate runs from Scotland to Cornwall, with standout sites such as the Merry Mermaid in Skegness doing over 1,000 barrels and the Grapes in Wandsworth where weekly sales can reach £15,000. Prescott's Sun Inn is run by the head of geography at a local school. Gavin George chairs the venture; David Crabtree is operations director, and Croft handles group strategy and commercial affairs. The concept prioritises fair pricing and investment in sport, entertainment technology and community activity, aiming to create welcoming, non-homogenous pubs where no one feels alone. A target of 200 pubs by the end of 2027 is cited, though Croft says there is no fixed end target. Source: The Morning Advertiser
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