Wrington’s Butcombe Brewery this week snapped up two Somerset pubs – part of its drive towards a ‘modern, well-invested pub portfolio’ which is likely to see it buy 20 more each year.

Butcombe has bought The Pelican Inn at Chew Magna and The Charlton in Shepton Mallet to add to the 19 other pubs it owns across Somerset and the Mendips.

However, brewery bosses say this is the beginning of a new ‘strategic growth plan’ which could see 100 new pubs purchased over the coming five years.

In each case, staff are expected to be retained, while Butcombe is likely to invest heavily in modernising and improving pubs under its ownership.

Managing director Geraint Williams said: “We have been brewing some of the best beer in the UK since the 1970s and we have built a new team to drive the business forward.

“It is very important to us not to lose the character for which we are known and loved across our heartland. Our beer is what makes us who we are and is at the core of everything we do.

“Having a modern, well invested pub portfolio is obviously important because we want our customers to enjoy our products in the best surroundings.”

Butcombe was bought by the Liberation Group in 2015. It has since reported year-on-year sales growth of 32 per cent.