A YORK pub company has joined forces with a Derbyshire brewery on a joint venture which is set to launch a new nationwide pub chain.

Craft beer distributor and pub company Pivovar, based in Elvington, has teamed up with Bakewell headquartered craft brewery Thornbridge to create Thornbridge and Co.

Together the two companies plan to open ten new sites across the UK over five years.

Both companies are combining more than a decade of industry experience, with Thornbridge Brewery earning a wealth of awards during its 13 year brewing. The brewery currently runs eight pubs in Sheffield, and the award winning Pivovar group currently owns eight bars across the UK as well as its nationwide craft beer wholesale business.

The partnership has already announced it has secured its first site in the heart of Birmingham and has also viewed a number of other premises in other cities. The companies say they are “incredibly keen” to open sites in Manchester, Bristol, Hull and London.

Jamie Hawksworth, Ooner of Pivovar said: “Over the last 12 years we have created award winning bars supported by our own drinks wholesale division which delivers supply chain within our estate.

“We are now thrilled to be joining forces with our friends at Thornbridge to roll out more amazing bars offering access to their beer range alongside our existing drinks portfolio.”

Thornbridge and Co. pubs will provide a craft offering and the opportunity for the full range of Thornbridge beers to be available.

Thornbridge Brewery chief executive Simon Webster said: “We couldn’t be more excited to announce this partnership, having worked with Pivovar for many years we know they are a fantastic company who share our core values.

“We have a real passion for pubs and want to introduce our beers to a wider market. This gives us the opportunity to work towards ensuring our beer is in every corner of the country.”

The two companies have worked alongside each other since the opening of the Sheffield Tap eight years ago.