KLM Pubco snaps up biggest site yet

The site, acquired in August, is the first from the operator that is not fully wet let. A spokesperson said inclusivity is at the “heart” of the business, and its menu offers dishes to suit an allergen or dietary requirements.

A KLM spokesperson said: “KLM Pubco is proud of its dedication to pubs, with all profits either used to better the locations we are blessed to be operating in or investing back into our local infrastructure.”

Where possible the pub company uses local breweries and trades people.

All of its directors directly manage a site while supporting the other pubs’ management teams where needed.

“Our core value is that business is about people,” said the spokesperson. “We will continue to invest in our people and communities to make KLM Pubco a successful and growing business, while remaining grounded to our routes.”

Story of expansion 

KLM pub company was founded in 2018 by three Derbyshire-based businessmen, who have lived and worked in the county their whole lives.

The trio combined their business backgrounds and pulling of cash resources to acquire its first site at the Lounge, Ilkeston town centre.

During Covid, the site underwent extensive refurbishment, and its directors have just celebrated five years of managing the premises.

In February 2020, the team decided to expand to a second site in Chesterfield and has since made many renovations to it.

In December 2020 the group then took on another Ilkerston site, the Little Acorn.

Acquisition history

While Covid guidelines and beer shortages made for a “challenging start”, the spokesperson said it is now a “great community resource, proud of its ability for people from all background to interact and feel at home”.

In June 2022, the operator acquired the Kings Arms in Clarborough, Retford as a going concern.

The pub offers pop-up food offerings such as a mobile chip shop, hog roasts and stone baked pizzas.