Blubeckers gobbles up rural pub sites

Blubeckers, the pub-restaurant format bought by the Restaurant Group last year, has acquired two new sites and targeted four more by the end of the year.

The company has bought the White Hart in Cadnam, Hampshire, and the Greyhound in Besselsleigh, Oxfordshire.

AG&G was the retained purchasing agent on both acquisitions and a lease of 20 years with Greene King has been agreed on the two sites.

The White Hart is a popular destination, food-led, country pub that benefits from a large dining area and a car park for 60 vehicles. The Greyhound is also a traditional country pub with a car park.

Both properties will benefit from substantial investment and rebranding to shortly reopen as Blubeckers.

The company currently operates 17 restaurants under two brands - Blubeckers, with 12 sites, and Edwinns, with five.

The Restaurant Group bought Blubeckers from CI Traders in a cash deal worth £27.05m in June 2005.

The two formats are based on a brasserie-style restaurant and accompanying bar area, with several of the outlets featuring outside eating areas.