Red Dragon Pubs launches with plans for further expansion in Wales
New Welsh pub company Red Dragon Pubs launched last week following the acquisition of eight pubs in eight months in the Swansea and Gwent valleys, with plans to open four more by the end of October and to become Wales' favourite independent pub group.
The group, founded by entrepreneur James Hunt and a group of investors, aims to buy and invest in pubs across South Wales and has officially launched at its first pub, the Aubrey Arms in Swansea. The group employs around 150 people.
Hunt explained that the company wouldn't change the name of any pub it buys and wouldn't be rolling out a uniform aesthetic for the brand, with community engagement "paramount".
He said: "When we studied the market here, and we saw so many pubs closed, or just tired and under-invested, we knew there was a massive opportunity here to reinvigorate these venues, by working with and listening to the locals that use them and bringing them back to their best.
"The pandemic just made more visible a deeper problem. Pubs across Wales have suffered. What happened to Brains was tragic, but many sites have shut their doors when they could be really successful businesses because we believe they lost touch with the communities they serve."
Pub group Marston's took over the running of 156 S.A Brains pubs in Wales late last year after Covid restrictions put Brains under significant financial pressure.
Hunt added: "We are ambitious. We believe there is an opportunity to create a Welsh pub company, for Wales, that everyone can be proud of. Customers will know they are in a Red Dragon Pub, but much more importantly we want them to know that Red Dragon Pubs is part of their community."
The business is also launching the Red Dragon Foundation, where 1p from every drink ordered in a Red Dragon pub will go to the Foundation, which in turn will support charities and good causes.
Pictured: Red Dragon Pubs directors, left to right: Angus Scott, James Hunt, John Chadwick, Giles Darby, David Surdeau
