Pub giant Mitchells and Butlers has announced it is to undertake a “low-key trial” of a new competitive socialising offer called Puttside, following the success of the Arrowsmiths roll-out.

The All Bar One and Harvester owner told Propel that it would be looking to soft-launch the minigolf-based activity across its sites over the coming year, featuring the tagline; “Eat, Putt, Play.” 

“It is not the first time the business has introduced a competitive socialising concept within its sites. In the summer of 2022, Propel revealed M&B was preparing to launch a new competitive socialising concept called Arrowsmiths, in one of its sites in the West Midlands. The interactive darts experience was subsequently launched in the O’Neill’s in Solihull, featuring six individual booths for groups of up to 12 people. The Toby Carvery and Browns operator has since rolled out the concept to 14 of its sites across the country, the majority operating under its O’Neill’s brand.”

The move comes after M&B reported an “exceptionally strong festive trading period,” with like-for-like sales up 4.5 percent during the quarter and total sales up 3.5 percent for the year.

Despite the positive performance, the operator added that it expects trade headwinds to exceed £130m this year.