An award-winning Shropshire brewery today revealed plans to take over at least four run-down county pubs, creating up to 200 jobs.

The Three Tuns Brewery, based in Bishop’s Castle, has vowed to invest millions of pounds in dilapidated or closed inns across the county as part of its major expansion plans.

The booming beer firm opened its first pub last month by restoring The Bridges at Ratlinghope, near Church Stretton.

Bosses today revealed it would be the first of many “spectacular” renovation schemes – despite a downturn in the pub trade meaning an average of 25 pubs a week close across Britain.

John Russell, the brewery’s managing director, said: “Our business model is to in three years time have another four or five pubs, and we haven’t missed a deadline yet.

“I would say we are talking close to 200 jobs by the time we have finished.

“The Bridges is our first pub and the reaction we have had has been absolutely brilliant, but we want to make sure all these other pubs have that same wow factor.”

The company is currently in negotiations over two unnamed pubs and has pledged to plough profits back into new sites. Each site is expected to create more jobs than an average pub due to additional accommodation, food and entertainment.

Mr Russell said: “We are investing £750,000 at Ratlinghope, which will conservatively bring 30 jobs once the accommodation is complete. We are talking about other places on at least that scale. We have worked hard over the past 10 years to get the brewery to where it is. We are not saying we have pockets full of cash, but we are in a nice place right now and looking for more places as spectacular as Ratlinghope.”

The brewery expects its turnover to hit £1.4 million, up from just over £500,000 last year.

Ludlow MP Philip Dunne said: “Pubs are closing at a rapid rate, especially in rural areas. It is very heartening and encouraging to learn that some of those pubs will now be saved over the next few years and given a new lease of life by this dynamic local brewery.”

By Danny Carden