Lincolnshire brewer and pub retailer Batemans has reported an 8% increase in barrelage in its most recent year to just over 30,000 barrels

However, gross margin dropped 7.7% to £3.1m in the year to 31 January 2009 and profit before tax fell to £358,140 compared to £466,671 the year before.

The company booked a £398,516 profit on the sale of the Lion at Basford, Nottingham to sitting multiple tenant Pub People.

Managing director Stuart Bateman said: “We’ve been fortunate in having improved growth in all sectors. We’ve been static on volumes in our pubs but seen increases in guest beer volumes.

“We’ve also had good progress in national sales and in the off-trade. We’ve had a look at the Punch disposals but decided there are as many good opportunities to develop our own pubs and help tenants extend their offer.”

Batemans spent around £500,000 on refurbishment schemes within its estate during the year, he added.

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