Pub and brewing group Marston’s says it intends to add between 20 and 25 pubs to its 2,150-strong network next year – including its first Scottish openings – and hire 1,000 people.

The company announced the intention to open the new sites in financial results released yesterday, which showed an operating loss compared to a profit in the previous year.

The 1,000 jobs figure was reported by The Daily Telegraph.

This year the company completed 25 new-build pubs, and the firm now has around 1,650 tenanted or leased pubs, and around 500 managed pubs. It also operates five breweries.

Ralph Findlay, chief executive at the company, comments: “The economy is likely to remain weak for the foreseeable future, but we have a clear, proven strategy which is appropriate for current market conditions, and which is achieving growth.”