The pub trade has struggled in recent years, with figures from the British Beer and Pub Association showing that 36 pubs in the UK close every week. M&B hopes to counter the trend with bars whose name, fascia and interior can be adapted to reflect fashion.
Although the bars will form part of a chain, each will have a unique name and distinct look to give the impression that they are independent.
The company is currently trialling two concept bars ahead of a planned rollout in 2009. M&B has handed a strategic planning brief to direct and digital marketing agency Elvis Communications.
Last month, M&B announced it would be scrapping its dividend to help reduce its £2.7bn debt. The firm, which also own chains such as Harvester restaurants, experienced a 13.5% fall in pre-tax profits in September.
Punch Taverns has also announced that it will not be paying a final dividend. The company said the first full year of the ban on smoking in public places had caused a decline in custom and financial losses.
In the past 10 years, M&B has shifted the strategy of its properties and made them more food-oriented in an attempt to increase footfall. This includes Harvester, which is positioned as a family restaurant, and upmarket chain Browns. The brewer also owns the Scream pub chain.
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