Brewhouse & Kitchen buys Wetherspoon pub in Plymouth for first brewpub site with bespoke brewhouse: Brewhouse and Kitchen, the Enterprise Investment Scheme company headed by Simon Bunn and Kris Gumbrell, is to open its first brewpub next month. It is converting a city centre JD Wetherspoon pub in Plymouth, the White Swan, acquired last month, into a pub producing a range of cask ales together with a complementary fresh food offering. Up to 2,800 pints of malt, nutty, brown and other types of beers and porters will be made a week at the premises, which customers can drink on site or take away in five-litre containers. There will be seven staple beers to choose from and monthly seasonal ones. Bunn said: “When people come in they will be able to order a pint and can watch it being made in a microbrewery positioned at the side of the bar. The White Swan is a great site with loads of character and it’s in a fantastic location.” Brewhouse and Kitchen states in its EIS document: “The concept is proven and will capitalise on the trend for ‘craft ales’- unique, bespoke and individually created brews delivered to consumers in a new and inclusive way.” Simon Bunn is Brewhouse and Kitchen’s managing director while Gumbrell, who is chief executive of Convivial London Pubs, is executive chairman. Non-executive director is Paul Adams who was previously involved in The Firkin brewpub chain and Wychwood Brewery. The company is targeting gross turnover of £18,000 per week per site with a 40/60 food and drink split. Target average freehold acquisition cost is £800,000 to £1m per pub with an additional refurbishment cost of £250,000 per pub. Brewhouse & Kitchen pubs will stock over 60 bottled beers. The Brewhouse & Kitchen management team has collaborated with a vessel fabrications company to produce a bespoke microbrewery. The company states: “The equipment itself is not only aesthetically pleasing but is intended to be sited in a prominent position within the pub. The equipment has been designed to be cost efficient and easy to operate. The less attractive constituent parts such as rubber hoses have been replaced with polished steel, partly for visual impact but mainly for hygiene and ease of cleaning. These units are of a high specification and are capable of producing considerable volumes in order to serve demand.” Brewhouse & Kitchen sites offer a tasting table, where customers can enjoy ‘the ambience of ale and food from a matched menu or the spectacle of the brewery in front of their eyes - the philosophy of Brewhouse & Kitchen is to involve the customer’. The freehold of The White Swan was acquired off an asking price of £700,000 – it is one of five Wetherspoon pubs brought to market through agent Christie + Co last July.