Singhboulton sells

Notting Hill Pelican Innovative organic pub chain operator Singhboulton has sold the Pelican in London's Notting Hill because of the "highly competitive pub culture in this part of the capital".

Partner Esther Boulton said the Pelican, which has 22 years left to run on a 24-year private lease, had traded successfully but was located in an area where competition was intense.

She said: "We opened the Pelican two years ago and have been generally very pleased with the way it was received in Notting Hill.

But the nature of the trading competition in the area meant it did not quite reach the levels which we had anticipated."

Boulton stressed, however, that the company was committed to expansion and looking for new sites in London and the south.

"We want more pubs but how quickly they are acquired depends on the right sort of sites becoming available," she said.

Singhboulton opened Britain's first certified organic gastro pub, the Duke of Cambridge in Islington, in 1998 and two years later launched a second venture, the Crown in Victoria Park.

Food at both pubs features seasonal dishes on a changing menu using fresh, organic ingredients.

Its beers and lagers are all sourced from organic breweries and its spirits and soft drinks also have organic origins.

The two pubs also source 40 different wines from independent winemakers, which are all organically produced.

The Pelican's new owner is Phil Hoffbrand, who will run the pub as a community-style venture with two other partners.

The company already runs a thriving city bar and restaurant, Lifthouse in Smithfield, London.