Punch adds two new sites to portfolio

Punch adds two sites to its portfolio

Staffordshire-based multiple operator Punch Pubs & Co has added two new sites its leased and tenanted portfolio.

The first to be procured, the Ship in Oundle, Northamptonshire, will undergo a planned investment in the coming months.

After being acquired from the Langridge family, who operated the business for more than four decades, multiple operators Ami Sanobar and Darren Paul will now take the reins at the Ship.

Punch​ head of estate development and acquisitions Andrew Cannons said: “We are pleased to be welcoming another fantastic pub into the Punch estate.

“Thanks to the Langridge family, the Ship is beloved within the Oundle community, and we are confident it will continue to thrive as Ami and Darren work with the existing team to make the transition as seamless as possible.”

Secondly, the independent pubco has taken on the White Lion pub in Long Eaton, Derbyshire, which Sanobar and Paul will also be at the helm of.

Cannons added: “We are delighted to welcome the White Lion pub into the Punch family. This is a fantastic community pub with an excellent reputation across the town, and we are looking forward to working alongside the existing staff and our new publican to ensure the White Lion continues to thrive for many years to come.”

Assistant manager Alistair will be taking care of the day to day running of the White Lion as he steps up to become manager, alongside the rest of the team.

The group, which operates more than 1,240 pubs, added the acquisitions were part of its growth plans, with further investments planned throughout the year.

In addition, Punch reported encouraging trade​ in its latest update with £165.1m revenue during the second quarter of the year.

Punch operations manager Christian Gregory said: “The White Lion is already an excellent pub that sits within the heart of the community.

“I’m excited to embark on this journey with multiple operators Ami and Darren, who are looking forward to getting to know the White Lion family.

“Alistair and the team have already been incredibly welcoming, for which we are grateful. There’s a lot of potential in this thriving town pub, so I’m eager to see what the future holds here.”

Crazy Rabbit procures third pub

Yorkshire-based pub group Crazy Rabbit Inns has acquired its third site, supported with £416,000 in funding from Fresh Thinking Capital.

The fast-growing firm has added the Stapylton Arms in Wass, North Yorkshire, to its portfolio and revealed plans to invest in the gastro-pub to enhance its facilities and undertake a sympathetic refurbishment throughout the historic building.

In addition, the group detailed plans to open its fourth site later this year.

Crazy Rabbit Inns director Collette Sunderland said: “The Stapylton Arms dates back to 1620 and is a central part of village life in Wass. #

“We are proud to be taking over the stewardship of this historic venue and will invest to enhance its facilities over the coming months.
“We have ambitious plans for the group that will see us acquire more sites over the coming years.

“Our team has a great track record of building the business of country pubs and supporting the communities they serve.

“Fresh Thinking Capital is a flexible and responsive funding partner that shares our vision for the future.”
The former owner, Rob Thompson added he chose to sell the pub to Crazy Rabbit Inns after making the decision to retire because of their “track record of success in operating country pubs”.
Fresh Thinking Capital relationship manager Niall Conlon said: “Collette has a real passion for the industry, and it’s great to be able to support her ambitions.

“Crazy Rabbit Inns has done a great job of acquiring good country pubs and elevating the offering to grow the business. I’m confident the group will continue to go from strength to strength.”

Brucan Pubs opens fifth site

Brucan Pubs has announced the opening of its fifth site, the White Oak in Cookham, Berkshire.

The venue welcomed customers back on Monday 20 May with a focus on British seasonal produce and a regularly changing menu, including plenty of British game and wild fish.

Founded in 2018 by James Lyon-Shaw, Brucan Pubs, which won Best Food Offer at the Publican Awards 2024​, currently operates four other pubs, the Greene Oak in Windsor, the Drumming Snipe in Mayford, the Greyhound in Finchampstead and the Star in Witley.

Artfarm opens new bar 

Artfarm, the independent hospitality company behind the Fife Arms hotel and Mount St. Restaurant, has announced it will shortly open Roth Bar​ in Bruton, a new site-specific artwork and fully functioning bar in the Threshing Barn at Hauser & Wirth Somerset. 

Inspired by the history of Durslade Farm, Roth Bar in Somerset is composed of salvaged materials and objects from reclamation yards in the surrounding area.

Artist Oddur Roth, grandson of the late German-born Swiss artist Dieter Roth, lived and worked in Bruton as artist-in-residence from January - March 2024, alongside his team, Einar Roth, Bjarni Grímsson, Sigrún Holmgeirsdottir, Thrandur Gíslason Roth and Gudmundur Oddur Magnusson.

Björn and Oddur Roth were one of the first artists-in-residence in Somerset in 2014, creating the original bar that formed an integral part of the gallery’s then on-site bar and restaurant ‘Roth Bar & Grill’. First conceived by Dieter Roth in the late 1970s, the bar is a dynamic and changing installation and is a continuing element in the Roths’ cross-generational practice.

The new bar also features an interactive installation conceived as a functional Revolving Door by Björn and Oddur Roth, inspired by the work ‘Allerweltsbild’ Dieter Roth created between 1982 and 1985 together with Björn Roth, Dominik Steiger, Ómar Stefánsson and André Thomkins. 

In addition, the bar will use a selection of locally sourced produce to curate its drinks menu, including using honey from the farm's hives, flowers from the estate's walled garden and seasonal wild foraged ingredients, alongside a range of draught and bottled serves.

Accompanying the drinks, a bar food menu featuring freshly baked pastries, sharing boards featuring locally made cheeses and a selection of charcuterie, and a variety of burgers will also be on offer, with  a selection of meat, fish and vegetables cooked over the open fires directly in front of the bar in the summer months. 

Roth Bar will also host an ongoing programme of activities and musical performances.