PUBS and brewing group Greene King said it was well placed to deal with the smoking ban in England and Wales after posting better than expected profits.
The group, which operates the Hungry Horse and Old English Inns brands, revealed a 17 per cent rise in pre-tax profits to £139.8 million for the year to April 29.
The company, based in Bury St. Edmonds, said profits rose after a strong performance across all of its divisions, particularly its Scottish Belhaven pubs, which performed ahead of expectations despite the impact of the smoking ban in Scotland.
The Speckled Hen and Abbot Ale brewer has invested more than £10 million on installing smoking shelters and improving its outdoor areas, with 95 per cent of its 2,500 pubs now equipped with usable outside spaces.
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