The pub and brewing firm that doesn’t do things by halves

In the latest edition of Marketing Derby’s Innovate Magazine, we meet Paul Harris of Derby Brewing – a pub and brewing business that has emerged strongly from the pandemic.

The pub industry has faced many challenges in recent years, but despite a heady brew made up of the pandemic, changing customer behaviours and the cost-of-living crisis, Derby Brewing is growing – opening more pubs and continuing to brew its award-winning ales.

Today, the company has seven venues across Derbyshire and Staffordshire, with the most recent opening being The Pointing Dogs, in Matlock, which opened in October.

Given the number of pubs which have been forced to close their doors during recent, the growth of Derby Brewing is pretty remarkable. So, what is their secret?

Paul, who is managing director of Derby Brewing, told Innovate: “Of course, there is a concern about how much money people will have in their pockets for a leisure spend but we have had recessions in the past and got through them.

“Pub closures pre-Covid were impacted by the strategies of the major pub companies. I know of profitable sites that had rent hikes which led to keys being handed back.

“I believe if you find the right location and get the business offering right, that’s the key.

“A great pub has to be an environment where people want to spend time. You need friendly, attentive service, from people who are knowledgeable about what they do.

“You need a great selection of drinks and, if you are doing food, you have to do it properly.

“And you have to deliver all this consistently. We want Derby Brewing to be the hallmark of quality – a place where you know you’ll always get a great pint, a great meal and great service.

“You have to have price points that work for people but, for us, it’s more about quality and delivering value.

“In reality, you’ll always be able to buy drink cheaper, whether that’s in another pub that’s more value-led or buying from a supermarket, but we’re not really trying to compete with the idea of having a few cans at home while watching the television.

“To me, that’s not the choice I’m making when I’m considering whether to go and have Sunday lunch with my family or enjoy a few drinks with my mates. You’re not comparing like for like.”

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