(l-r) Nigel Wright, chief operating officer of TCG with Nick Stafford, SIBA DDS managing director

Managed pub operator TCG is to start sourcing local beers through SIBA’s Direct Delivery Scheme (DDS).  From mid-November, 41 pubs –  60% of the TCG Pubs estate – will sell local beers supplied by DDS.

TCG is moving to DDS as a way of expanding the local beer offer in its pubs while keeping to a minimum the administration involved in buying from a growing number of smaller brewers.  Nigel Wright, TCG’s chief operating officer, says, “We have been increasing both the number of pubs stocking cask ales and the range available over recent years but by sourcing through DDS, we can help more of our pubs to offer the local beers that their customers now expect to see on the bar.”   Pubs supplied through DDS are offered beers from an average of 10 local brewers, typically producing four or five beers each.

Nick Stafford,  SIBA DDS managing director, adds, “We are delighted to welcome TCG as a new DDS customer. With the addition of these pubs, SIBA DDS will be supplying over 1,900 pubs across the UK with a diverse range of locally-produced beers.  Sales of local cask ales are in growth and pubs that keep them well and promote them effectively are less likely to become casualties of the current trading downturn.”