Liberation Group buys two pubs from British Country Inns

Liberation Group, the Caledonia Investments-backed company, has acquired two freehold pubs from British Country Inns 2 PLC - the Lime Kiln Inn, Knole, Somerset and Beambridge, Samford Arundell for an undisclosed sum.

The Lime Kiln Inn is a traditional 17th century freehouse situated in the village of Knole, just outside Long Sutton and Langport and a short drive from both Glastonbury and Yeovil in Somerset.

The Beambridge Inn is a traditional Inn located near Wellington, Somerset, close to junctions 26 and 27 of the M5. It has been refurbished and provides a blend of a characteristic country pub with eight modern, stylish rooms.

Liberation Group owns and operates 98 pubs and two breweries. In 2014, the company purchased the Butcombe Brewery as a platform for expansion in the UK and has been acquiring pubs in the West Country ever since. Currently it owns 25 pubs in the environs around the brewery located in Somerset, Herefordshire, Avon and Gloucestershire.

Following the transaction British Country Inns will comprise 14 food-led country inns.

Mark Crowther, chief executive of Liberation, said: “Both these pubs will fit perfectly into our growing pub estate in the West Country which now totals 25. This together with the recent rebranding of the Butcombe Brewery and the rebadging of its beers are the first steps in realising our ambition to become a very serious player in this market.”

Peter Mathews, British Country Inns executive director, said: These sales mark the beginning of our British Country Inns disposal process and we are delighted that Liberation are the new owners. We are confident that these two pubs will be in safe hands going forward and will continue to thrive under Liberation’s ownership.”