Wychwood owner is swallowed by Marston's

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Pubs-and-beer firm Marston's is snapping up Ryland Thompson, owner of Wychwood, for an undisclosed sum - thought to be in the region of £15 million.

Wychwood, based in Tory leader David Cameron's Witney constituency in Oxfordshire, brews 50,000 barrels a year, including Brakspear and Prince Charles's Duchy Originals Organic Ale. Ryland Thompson, through its Refresh subsidiary, also has partnerships with other premium brands such as Wadworth and Lowenbrau.

Marston's chief executive Ralph Findlay said the deal would almost double its market share in the premium bottled ale market to 18%: "The whole beer market is tough but the one sector that has been offering better opportunity is premium ales, whether bottled or draught."

Marston's also operates 2000 pubs, which make up about 85% of its business, and is feeling some effect from the consumer slowdown. It warned in a trading statement that it is "cautious" about 2008. Like-for-like sales in pubs for the 24 weeks to 15 March rose only 0.3%. But the firm said that compared to a strong 7% rise a year ago and pointed out that overall group profits should be broadly in line with last year.