Stonegate acquires Punch pub

Stonegate is spending £400,000 in revamping a coastal pub in Kent and creating a further 25 jobs.

The managed pub operator has leased the Hole in the Roof pub in Deal from landlord Punch.

It is renaming the pub the Queen Street Tap and is introducing craft beers, cocktails, handcrafted street food, live music, hi-tech sports viewing, and what it says will be "a touch of urban, industrialised design". The pub garden will also be modernised.

Exciting expansion

Stonegate chief executive Simon Longbottom, said: “This is an exciting expansion for Stonegate.

“Creating independent venues with local people at our core is massively important to us, so to have the privilege of developing a venue demonstrating the love for pubs and craft beer in the area is great.

“We can’t wait to welcome customers, the existing team – whose jobs have been saved – and our new recruits.”

The pub is currently closed for refurbishment. It is due to open in time for the August bank holiday weekend.

The Stonegate Pub Company is the largest privately held managed pub operator in the UK, with revenues in excess of £600m, and employing some 12,500 people. 

The company has 665 pubs, under seven brands: Slug & Lettuce, Yates, Common Room, Proper Pubs, Town Pub & Kitchen, Classic Inns and Venues.