Red Oak acquires 19 pubs from Marston’s

By Nikkie Thatcher

- Last updated on GMT

Deal done: Bakers Arms in Dorchester is one of the pubs acquire by Red Oak Taverns
Deal done: Bakers Arms in Dorchester is one of the pubs acquire by Red Oak Taverns

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Marston’s has sold 19 tied tenanted pubs to Red Oak Taverns, growing the latter’s estate to 246 sites.

The transaction is the third between the two firms in the past 15 months, bringing the total number of pubs acquired from Marston’s by Red Oak to 26 including four in January​.

Third deal

Acquired pubs:

Bakers Arms, Dorchester

Berkeley Arms, Worcester

Blacksmiths Arms, Quorn

Bulls Head, Manchester

Cricketers Arms, Holmfirth

Cross Tree, Daventry

Feathers, Lichfield

Gate Inn, Ordsall near Retford

Inn on the Marsh, Moreton in the Marsh

Kings Arms, Horbury

Minster Inn, York

Monks Bridge, Stretton

Red Lion, Little Haywood

Round Oak, Wombourne

Royal Oak, Malvern

Star Inn, Tideswell

Summerhouse, Sedgley

Swan Inn, Worcester

Wheatsheaf, Shrewsbury

On this latest acquisition, chief executive and co-founder Grunnell said: “We are delighted to have completed the purchase of these high-quality pubs in a third successful deal with Marston’s.

“The ability to deliver, especially in times where the cost of capital is high, is crucial between any seller and buyer, and we have built a strong relationship with the Marston’s team.

"I would like to extend a special welcome to those tenant partners transferring over to the Red Oak Taverns family. Initial welcome meetings have already been held, and we look forward to developing investment plans together in the coming weeks.”

Strategic objectives

The sites cover areas including Holmfirth, Lichfield, Malvern,  Manchester, Shrewsbury, Worcester and York.

Marston’s property director Andy Kershaw added: “We are pleased to complete this sale to Red Oak in line with our stated strategic objectives while matching a good partner for the long-term futures of these pubs and their operators.”

The transaction was facilitated by Christie & Co and Deloitte Legal, which acted on behalf of Marston's and Fleurets alongside Freeths, which acted on behalf of Red Oak Taverns.

Over the course of 2023, Red Oak, which was founded in 2011 by Aaron Brown and Mark Grunnell, procured 25 pubs across the country​. Over the past 18 months, there have been deals with family brewers St Austell​, Everards​ and McMullens​.

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