Wed 25th Nov 2015 - Punch signs exclusive deal to open pubs with Neil Morrissey Punch signs exclusive deal to open pubs with Neil Morrissey: Punch and the ‘With Neil Morrissey Pub Co’ have formed an exclusive business partnership after the success of their initial joint venture; The Plume of Feathers in Barlaston, Staffordshire.Under the agreement, the With Neil Morrissey Pub Co will run a number of pubs across the country, with a focus on community destination sites. The aim is to build a credible chain of sustainable pubs, which reflect Men Behaving Badly star Neil Morrissey’s passion for real ale and offer customers a welcoming, comfortable environment to relax and socialise. The Plume of Feathers reopened in March 2015 after receiving a £400,000 refurbishment. It has proved to be a tremendous success and forms the template for the new agreement between the parties. The Plume of Feathers is 55% wet-led, with ten real ales available for customers to enjoy. This includes Morrissey’s own range of ales, which Morrissey Blonde sells 25% more than any other cask ale. The pub also has a strong food offering, complemented by superior quality coffee and welcomes a wide customer demographic. Neil Griffiths, chief strategy officer at Punch, said: “This is a completely new direction for both parties, and we will be working very closely together to ensure the venture’s success. After the success of the initial pub we knew this was a partnership that could be expanded considerably and one that fits well with our company strategy to utilise a broad range of flexible operating models that are in line with today’s evolving pub market. We’re looking forward to identifying the best sites for the With Neil Morrissey Pub Co to run, getting the necessary investment and being ready to welcome customers into a very attractive environment.” Morrissey added: “The Plume of Feathers has proved a real success and I feel very proud of the team – the pub industry is one that is very close to my heart and it’s been great to be so involved in this site. I intend to be just as hands on with our other Punch pubs as we take them on and will be regularly on site speaking to customers and staff, just as I am at the Plume of Feathers.” Richard Slingsby, director with Neil Morrissey Pub Company, said: “We’re hugely refreshed by Punch’s new thinking on how to approach the hospitality market and believe our partnership will achieve great things. Punch is a key player in the market with a large portfolio of appealing sites and we couldn’t think of anyone better to work with. They’re incredibly flexible in terms of agreements and are a very fair and positive operator; we’re very excited about the future of our relationship together.”