WETHERSPOONS is opening 15 new pubs in a tie-up with a firm known for its chain of fish and chip shops.
The budget boozer will launch the venues across the UK as part of a new franchise working with The Papas Group.
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The first will open on October 1 in Gateway Park, Lincoln, and will be called The Hykeham Manor.
A further three will open in October and November at sites in Annitsford, Northumberland, Stockton-on-Tees, Co Durham, and Emersons Green in Bristol.
The pub chain’s commercial director, Michael Barron, said: “We are delighted to have signed agreements with The Papas Group.
“We are looking at further opportunities and are confident that more franchise agreements will be signed.”
The Papas Group is a family-owned business which runs casual dining restaurants such as Papa’s Fish and Chips and Wendy’s, mostly in the north of England.
Wetherspoons already has several franchise agreements. They include tie-ups with the holiday park operator Haven and the universities of Newcastle and Hull — running a pub at each campus.
These arrangements are common in the hospitality sector and allow an independent operator to run an established chain using their brand and products.
Wetherspoons has opened pubs at several locations this year, including in Fulham, West London, and Kenilworth, Warwickshire.
LOW-DEPOSIT DEALS RISE
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THE number of low-deposit mortgages has hit the highest level in 17 years, according to Moneyfactscompare.
There are currently 1,360 90 and 95 per cent deals available, representing 19 per cent of the residential mortgage market.
The news comes after Homes England, the Government’s housing agency, and Countryside Properties signed a long-term deal to build more homes.
The partnership will be backed by £150million of investment and will focus on building houses as part of the Government’s housebuilding target.
SUNNY SALES
RETAIL sales were up 3.1 per cent in August driven by good weather and an interest rate cut, official figures show.
The year-on-year uptick beat last August’s 1 per cent. Tech items did well but school uniforms and shoes disappointed as families tried second-hand, said the British Retail Consortium-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor.
Home appliances, DIY and garden goods all saw sales growth last month.
OIL PRICE HIKE
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OIL prices rose by more than a dollar a barrel yesterday as increases in supply looked set to stall and Russia braced itself for the impact of new EU sanctions.
OPEC countries have voted to lift production by 137,000 barrels per day in October — far less than previous monthly increases.
Experts have warned of a glut of oil next year as demand falls. Nevertheless Brent crude rose to $66.70 per barrel.
