Antic to expand and launch its own beer

Antic, the London pub group that owns the Dogstar in Brixton, is set to expand from 16 to 24 sites.

Its founder, Anthony Thomas, said that the expansion would be paid for out of cash reserves rather than debt, and should help take turnover from £14m to £17m this year. The group has also bought equipment from the Meantime Brewing Company to produce its own bitter. This relatively low-strength beer will be sold at an inexpensive price in all Antic pubs.