Merchant Inns invests £7m in two pubs

Merchant Inns, the food-led operator headed by Robert Breare, is to open two new sites this month - with a huge £3.75m invested in each.

Merchant Inns is spearheading the emergence of an accommodation category they call 'luxury budget', exemplified in the unusually high bedroom standards of the new venues. The Lambert Arms in Aston Rowant, near Watlington in Oxfordshire, is opening on 20 September as a stylish, modern country inn with Michelin-style quality food. It will have conference and meeting facilities and 40 spacious bedrooms. It plans to attract business meeting and corporate events, being 500 yards from Junction Six of the M40. Food at the 19th century pub will focus on seasonal, locally-sourced produce and everything will be freshly prepared and made on the premises. The Talbot Inn at Ripley, Surrey, is also opening at the end of September. Billed as one of Britain's finest historic coaching inns, dating from the 16th century, it will also offer 40 en-suite bedrooms, plus conference and banqueting facilities. The new restaurant will serve modern British cuisine, whilst the bar will specialise in classic pub dishes, real ales and wines by the glass. Home-from-home comforts with a modern twist include free Wi-Fi internet access, plasma screen TV and luxurious toiletries. Merchant Inns also owns The Carnarvon Arms in Burghclere, Berkshire; The Horse & Groom in Charlton, Wiltshire; The Black Boy in Milton, Oxfordshire and has just acquired The Saracen's Head in Dunmow, Essex. Refurbishment on this unit starts in early 2009. Michelin-starred executive chef Rob Clayton oversees the kitchens.