Valiant acquires 4 pubs from McManus

The properties acquire by Valiant are the Lord Byron, the Fox & Hounds, the Golden Horse and the Foundrymans Arms.

The decision to sell the pubs was not one that was taken lightly, according to McManus Pub Company managing director Gary McManus.

He added: “It is with a heavy heart we say goodbye to a group of pubs that have been with us for many years.

“We would like to thank all our guests that have dined, drank and supported us through the years.”

McManus went on to praise the team members at the sites and wished them all the best for the future.

Solid foundations

“It is the right time in our journey to reduce our liabilities and establish more solid foundations for the business,” he added.

“It gives us confidence to refocus our growth and explore exciting opportunities in bedrooms, wet-led and neighbourhood venues, locally and regionally.”

The company will continue to look for purchase opportunities in the future, the managing director said.

He added: “Tom McManus, strategy and operations manager, will lead future acquisitions of suitable leasehold and freehold pub opportunities across Northamptonshire, Essex and surrounding counties.

“Finally, we would like to wish Valiant Pub Co and its team ever success and hope these pubs will continue to serve their local communities for many years to come.”

Christie & Co, which brokered the deal, senior director of pubs and restaurants Neil Morgan outlined the history to the acquisition.

Continued investment

He said: “I have been working closely with Gary [McManus] and the team on repositioning the existing pub estate with a focus on expanding the managed house portfolio within Northampton and further afield.

“I’m delighted to have assisted with the disposal of these four charming local pubs to Valiant, which will no doubt continue to invest in the pubs and the teams, to ensure the sites remain at the heart of their local communities.

“I look forward to working with McManus and Valiant again in the future.”

Valiant Pub Company Mark McGinty said the business was very happy to acquire the pubs and was looking forward to welcoming them to the Valiant family.

The company was formed by McGinty, Gerry Carrol and James Croft at the beginning of 2021 with Croft leaving the firm​ in May this year.

It’s first transaction was the acquisition of 17 pubs from SA Brain​ in less than a year after the business was formed.