Urban & Country Leisure takes on 14th site

Urban & Country Leisure, the managed multiple operator headed up by Ross Sanders, has taken on a new site, bringing its estate to 14 pubs.

The firm plans to invest £850,000 in refurbishing the Mother Huff Cap Inn near Alcester in Warwickshire.

Christie + Co sold the former Punch freehold to a private investor for an undisclosed sum, though offers in the region of £300,000 were sought. The new owner then granted a lease to Urban & Country Leisure.

Located in the village of Great Alne, the Mother Huff Cap, which dates back to the 18th century, comprises a 40-cover main bar, a 20-cover snug, games room, 80-capacity function room, and a three-bedroom owner's accommodation.

The business, which takes its name from the days when most pubs brewed their own beer, Huff Cap being a 16th century term for a strong ale which would "huff one's cap" or make the head swell, also benefits from a 50-space car park and beer garden.

Urban & Country Leisure will start work in February and rename the pub the Greedy Pig.

Last week the company announced it had secured £10m funding from three private investors including Bridgehouse Capital. It also announced plans to more than double in size by adding 15 pubs over the next two years.

In November the firm opened three new sites, the Greedy Goose in Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire, the Coach & Horses in Beedon, near Newbury, Berkshire and the Old Volunteer at Caythorpe, near Nottingham.

Sanders started his career working behind the bar at a Paul Salisbury pub before joining Luminar, opening Chicago Rock Cafes. Saunders also helped develop the Jam House concept, in association with musician Jools Holland, which was later sold to Luminar — and worked in Spirit's brand incubation department, Devco.