Admiral acquires 18 pubs from Marston’s
The sites, which are spread across the UK in counties including Dorset, Derbyshire and Yorkshire, bring Admiral’s estate to more than 1,420.
Its latest purchase is Admiral’s second deal of 2024 having procured 37 pubs from Fuller’s in May 2024. These strengthened Admiral’s presence in south-east England, taking its number of sites in the region to more than 300.
Working together
The group stated it was continuing to invest and grow its pubs, ploughing over £38m in the past 12 months in key areas such as refurbishments and sustainability upgrades to individual sites.
On the latest acquisition, Admiral Taverns CEO Chris Jowsey said: “I’m looking forward to welcoming these licensees to Admiral Taverns and working together to grow these pubs as profitable small businesses and social hubs for their communities.
“We have a strong relationship with Marston’s and are delighted to make this acquisition, delivering against our strategy to grow our estate of profitable, community pubs.
“The deal also highlights the positive momentum and real resilience we’ve seen in the sector, particularly across our wet-led community estate as people have used their local pubs in recent months to enjoy a summer of sport with both the Euros and the Olympics encouraging people to visit."
Remaining optimistic
Jowsey added: “We remain optimistic our licensee-centric approach, entrepreneurial licensees and high-quality estate continue to put us at the forefront of opportunities in our wider market.”
The sale further demonstrates the objective of Marston’s to review its estate in line with strategic goals, according to director of property Andy Kershaw.
He added: “We have a long-term relationship with our colleagues at Admiral and it is the perfect home for these pubs, which align well to their business.”
Earlier this year (June), The Morning Advertiser spoke with Chris Jowsey where he discussed the company’s acquisition and capital expenditure activity.
