In April 2015 Stonegate opened its first Craft Union site, the Market Tavern, in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent.
Now, the pubco operates some 635 sites nationwide and said it has a new “pipeline of pubs” still to come.
The award-winning community-led brand saw rapid expansion last year, opening 78 new sites with a £16m investment by owner Stonegate Group, the UK’s biggest pubco.
However, it is not just in the bricks and mortar of the business that Craft Union has seen success.
Something different
Earlier this year, Craft Union was named Best Community Pub Operator at the 2025 Publican Awards, marking the third time it has taken the title home, demonstrating the company’s people first approach.
To celebrate its 10th anniversary Wednesday 14 May, Craft Union gave away thousands of free drinks across its estate and held a prize draw offering one guest the chance to win £10,000.
In addition, 10p from every pint sold on the day went to local charities and initiatives supported by Craft Union pubs as part of its ongoing ‘Make it a Million’ campaign.
The initiative has raised £1.2m over the past 12 months alone, benefiting more than 650 local causes across the UK, and the business is now aiming to raise another £1m by the same time next year.
Craft Union managing director Frazer Grimbleby said: “Ten years ago, we set out to build something different – a business that championed the community wet-led pub, with local operators empowered to lead at the heart of their communities.
Incredibly proud
“We wanted a name that said something about who we are – ‘Craft’ to reflect the skill of our operators, and ‘Union’ to reflect the way we bring people together.
“Fast forward a decade, and while so much has changed – not least the size of the business – our values and philosophy remain exactly the same.
“I’m incredibly proud of our operators, many who have been with us since day one, and of our amazing team who’ve helped Craft Union grow at an incredible pace without losing sight of what’s important.
“Reaching more than £1m in charitable fundraising last year was a major moment – and celebrating that with a drink on us and giving back to our guests on our 10th anniversary feels like the perfect way to say thank you to the people who’ve made it all possible: our guests.”
