A Bristol-based pub company that recently won an award for the design of one of its sites is set to take on two new pubs.
Flatcappers has acquired the leasehold of the Bell Inn in Rode, Somerset, and has its sites set on another pub deal which is currently being processed by solicitors.
The company, which was founded by ex-Bibendum general manager Pierre Woodford and Bristol-based café and bar group Loungers Ltd, describes its offer as 'proper' pubs that appeal to both diners and real ale enthusiasts.
The company bought the freehold of the Castle Inn at Bradford-on-Avon in 2007, and it recently won best refurbishment in CAMRA's Pub Design Awards.
The Bell was bought off an asking price of £85,000 for the free-of-tie lease, which is with Wellington Pub Company. It will undergo a complete refurbishment and re-open in October. There are plans to add 'boutique-style' letting rooms by converting the existing skittle alley at a later date.
Woodford said: "After the success of the Castle, it seemed only natural to look at other pub opportunities in the local area and after viewing over a dozen pubs, the Bell at Rode stood out as being a pub with huge potential.
"It's obviously too early to say where our third pub is, but what I would say is it's close to Bristol and it's big, very big."
Christie + Co Nicholas Calfe, who handled the sale of the Bell Inn, said: "We sold the property on behalf of Richard and Gill Vestey, who decided to retire after 25 years in the licensed trade and more than nine years as owners of the Bell Inn."