Heartwood acquires three new sites
Heartwood Collection has added three new sites to its portfolio with each venue set to receive a multi-million-pound refurbishment as it remains set to expand its estate to 60 venues by 2027,
The London-based operator, which won two accolades at last month’s Publican Awards, acquired the White Hart pub in Lymington from Stonegate Group.
Built in the late 1700’s, the White Hart is a Grade II listed building located on the edge of the New Forest.
Following the acquisition, the pub will undergo renovations to restore and preserve its historic features, including a part-tiled exterior and beamed interior, infused with Heartwood’s “signature style”.
Heartwood CEO Richard Ferrier said: “The White Hart is a beautiful pub that is clearly much loved by the local community in what is a fantastic location.
“We’re looking forward to restoring this pub and returning it to its former glory. We have long wanted to open in or close to Lymington and are delighted to have found the White Hart.”
In addition, Heartwood has also procured the Prince of Wales in East Barnet, London, which is set to open this winter.
Dating back to 1876, the historic venue will also receive a makeover to increase the number of covers at the pub and enhance the bar and dining areas.
Regarding the Prince of Wales, Ferrier said: “I am delighted we have been able to acquire what is clearly a much-loved local at the heart of East Barnet village.
“We will now embark on an ambitious development for the pub to ensure that the Prince of Wales remains a hub for the local community for years to come. We can’t wait to get going.”
Continuing its growth plans, the group also acquired the Old Crown in Great Bookham, Surrey, last month.
Located on the village’s High Street, the Old Crown dates back to the 1930’s and was built by Kingston brewery Hodgson’s and will also benefit from refurbishment to increase the number of covers and enhance the venue in keeping with Heartwood’s style.
Ferrier described the Old Crown as a “fantastic pub” located in a “beautiful Surrey village”, adding the refurbishment will ensure it remains “a part of village life for many years to come”.
The group, which operates more than 20 sites and is backed by Alchemy Partners, has seven other new openings in the pipeline for later this year and last month opened its first pub with rooms, the White Horse in Dorking, Surrey.
Admiral Taverns injects £280k into Liverpool pub
The Prince George in Fazakerley, Liverpool, welcomed customers back through its doors on Thursday 28 March following a £280,000 makeover.
Boasting a brand-new look with fresh décor, the Prince George, which is part of Admiral’s community-focused Proper Pubs division, has benefited from new flooring throughout as well as the installation of a new DJ zone.
Additionally, the pub’s darts area and outdoor space have also been renovated.
In keeping with the Proper Pub’s concept, the Prince George offers a wide range of drinks promotions as well as TNT Sports and Sky Sports coverage plus horse racing channels.
Going forward, operator Toni Rowe has planned to introduce a regular schedule of entertainment including quiz nights, bingo and karaoke and will also support the local darts team.
In addition, Rowe hopes to run a series of fundraising events for charities close to her heart and will specifically look to work with local men’s mental health initiatives.
Fuller’s reopens “iconic Chiswick landmark”
London-based operator and brewer Fuller, Smith and Turner has reopened the Old Pack Horse pub in Chiswick following a “tasteful” refurbishment.
Chiswick MP Ruth Cadbury and general manager Jeremy Freeman were on hand to cut the ribbon and declare the new look pub officially reopened on Thursday 4 April.
Freeman said: “I am so excited to be reopening the Old Pack Horse. It is a stunning pub by Nowell Parr, who was known as the Fuller’s house architect and was responsible for some amazing Fuller’s pubs in the early 1900s.
“We have amazing Thai food and a wonderful range of drinks that befits such a grand exterior. My team and I just can’t wait to welcome in the local community.”
Despite the new look, some elements, including the Thai kitchen, Friday and Saturday music nights plus its monthly drag bingo and comedy nights, have remained in place.
A new addition to the pub’s social calendar is an open mic night on the second Thursday of each month.
Speaking on opening the pub, Cadbury said: “I’m delighted to be here today to see the changes that have been made to an iconic Chiswick landmark.
“A great pub is the beating heart of its community and it’s clear that Jeremy and his team have put together a calendar of events that should appeal to all – whether you want a quiet pint and a Pad Thai or a lively Friday night boogie.
“I wish the team every success and I look forward to coming back for dinner soon.”
Robinsons completes work on North Wales pub
Family-brewer and operator has completed work on the Four Crosses pub in Anglesey.
Improvements have been made to the pub’s layout to improve customer flow throughout the venue while a new design scheme has increased the size of its external seating area, doubling the site’s capacity.
Robinsons inhouse design team restored character in the traditional pub, with existing timber woodwork and exposed stonework retained and accentuated to create a farmhouse feel.
Showcasing the pub’s heritage, the Four Crosses signage is primarily written in native Welsh while artwork from around Anglesey is also on display.
Chickpea Group acquires seventh pub
The trio behind Wiltshire based pub with rooms operator Chickpea Group have acquired their seventh pub, the Manor House in Ditcheat near Bruton.
Marking their first pub in Somerset, the pub dates back to the 18th century and is packed with charm, period features, including beamed ceilings and open fires, as well as views of the surrounding Mendip Hills.
After being closed for the past six months, the team have started a two-month refit and refurbishment project at the Manor House.
Boasting seven bedrooms, the pub will offer guests a classic Chickpea pub menu inside alongside a separate nole pizza kitchen serving sourdough pizzas when it reopens.
Working with local suppliers, the menu will be devised by executive chef, Harry Russell, while the wine list will be provided by Gardner and Beedle.
In addition, the group will also serve their own beers under the business’s new brewery in Wiltshire, Rude Giant Brew Co, among others.
Chickpea Group co-founder Ethan Davids said: 'We are so excited to head west and get stuck into the Somerset food and drink scene.
“The Manor House is a truly beautiful pub with cosy nooks and plenty of outside space. It offers everything we look for in a Chickpea country boozer.
The pub has always been incredibly well-supported by the local area, so we hope people are as excited about our plans as we are.”
Punch procures trio of sites
Punch Pubs & Co has acquired a trio of Leicestershire pubs into its leased and tenanted division.
The Dog & Gun in Syston, the White Bear in Hinckley and the Horse & Trumpet in Sileby will join Punch’s 900 leased and tenanted sites.
In addition, the 1,300-strong pub group also stated it has a strong pipeline of acquisitions across the Midlands region.
Head of estate development and acquisitions Andrew Cannons said: “We are pleased to welcome the Dog & Gun, the White Bear and the Horse & Trumpet into the Punch family and look forward to seeing our proposed plans come to life."
Read more here.
Portobello Group acquires Battersea pub from JDW
London and South-East based pub operator Portobello Group has acquired a freehold site in Battersea, South-West London, from JD Wetherspoon (JDW) for an undisclosed fee.
The Asparagus pub, named in homage to the vegetable that was historically grown and harvested in the Battersea area, is just a five-minute walk from Clapham Junction railway station.
Portobello Pub Company chairman Mark Crowther said a “full refurbishment” was completed in the “coming months”.
He continued: “This is a wonderful acquisition for us, expanding our network and taking on such an iconic pub in bustling Battersea.
“We are always on the lookout for opportunities to add to our growing estate and, when a chance like this arises and things fall in our favour, it is very rewarding.
“This is an exciting time for the business, we’ve got some growth irons in the fire, and are looking forward as we continue to build this business.”
Portobello, which operates more than 20 venues, this week completed a deal to buy bar and restaurant business Darwin & Wallace. Read more here.
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