Mezze Restaurants is bucking the national trend of UK pub closures by further expanding its fast growing empire.
The West Country group, which already has six restaurants under its belt, is ploughing ahead with its expansion with two new venues earmarked for 2014.
Latest figures by the Campaign for Real Ale reveal that 28 pubs are closing every week, an increase of two a week since last year.
However, Mezze Restaurants in contrast is securing the future of empty and derelict pubs across the region.
Both Clevedon and Tetbury have been identified as the next areas for expansion and the company directors are currently looking at potential sites.
These follow the 2013 openings at The Anchor, Ham Green, in May and The White Lion, Portishead, in July, both revitalised through significant financial investment.
Mezze Restaurants says its proposals for Clevedon and Tetbury form part of their overall objective of operating 20 venues across the region within the next five-years.
Alex Tryfonos, Mezze Director, said: “While 28 pubs across the country are closing their doors every week, we at Mezze are trying to buck this trend and guarantee the future of these great old community pubs.
“With our significant investment into failing pubs, we are helping to turn around their futures and secure their place as the social hub of their local community.
“We are confident that we will be able to announce the venue locations in Clevedon and Tetbury within a matter of weeks and hope to open both sites this year.”
Mezze Restaurants offers a range of dishes from the Mediterranean, The Middle East, Morocco and Spain, as well as boasting a full A la Carte menu. Its other outlets include The Green Dragon in Downend, The Royal George in Thornbury, The Warwick Arms in Clutton and The Ship & Castle in Congresbury.