Shotton branches out with own pubs
One of the founders of Urban & Country Leisure, Dan Shotton, has left the company to launch his own pub group.
Former Mitchells & Butlers marketing executive Shotton now operates Redcomb pubs and plans to have 20 freehold sites under his belt within the next five years.
Shotton says he is looking for quality pubs in London and the Home Counties including the company's base around Oxfordshire.
"I want to specialise in quality local pubs which offer a premium casual dining experience backed by high levels of customer service.
"This move has come at a time when there are plenty of quality pubs coming onto the market and I am very excited at what the future holds," he said.
Shotton helped launch Urban & Country two years ago alongside former Spirit and Luminar executive Ross Saunders. "I always intended to branch out on my own and now seemed the right time to do it," Shotton explained.
"We are looking for solid freehold pubs in good affluent sites — luckily the market is currently fairly well populated by this sort of venue."
He said his new company would initially take on leasehold sites until the business was properly established and equipped to move into freehold properties.
Urban & Country Leisure, Shotton's previous business, operated seven other former Massive Pub Company venues — two Scottish & Newcastle Pub Enterprise leases and five free-of-tie leases.
The estate also included Enterprise's White Horse in Harpenden, the pub that was formerly linked to celebrity chef Jean-Christophe Novelli, and the Emperor in Farnham Royal, Slough.
