First to welcome customers through the door was The Straw Bear pub in the Peterborough suburb of Whittlesey.
Having been at the helm of The Straw Bear for several years, current managers Kim Howard and Jemma Burgess, will remain in charge at the traditional wet-led pub, which dates back to the mid-twentieth century.
Punch head of estate development and acquisitions Andrew Cannons said: “We are delighted to welcome Kim, Jemma and the rest of the team as we expand our portfolio with The Straw Bear.
“The pub has an excellent reputation within the community of Whittlesey, and I am certain it will continue to thrive with the help of our industry-leading investment and support, for many years to come.”
Excellent operators
Next to open was The Grey Horses Inn in Carlton-in-Lindrick, Worksop, run by father and son duo Ken and Jack Jarvis, who said they were “eager to further develop” the pub.
Punch operation manager David Hill praised the outgoing licensees, Chris and Sally, and described the ingoing publicans as “excellent operators” keen to ensure their predecessors “legacy”.
“I’ve no doubt [Ken and Jack] will work brilliantly alongside the team to keep the Grey Horses thriving in the community”, Hill added.
The community-focused pub benefits from two separate trading areas, a timber bar servery and a cosy feature fireplace.
It also features a function room, with its own bar and dancefloor area in addition to an enclosed beer garden with picnic bench seating.
Cannons said: “We are delighted to welcome experienced operators Ken and Jack to the Grey Horses and are looking forward to working alongside themselves and the team as they embark on their new venture.
“This is an excellent pub that perfectly aligns with our leased and tenanted estate, and I’m sure that with Punch’s industry-leading investment and support, The Grey Horses will continue to flourish for many years to come.”
Growth plans
Rounding off Punch’s busy week of new openings was The Salmon Leap in Totton, Southampton, which launched with publican Shane Light, the son of one of Hampshire’s longest-serving landlords Eric light, at the helm.
Punch operations manager Jay Pearce said: “It’s wonderful to see the evolution of this fantastic pub, and I am thrilled Eric has passed down his valuable hospitality traits to Shane, whom I know will continue to run an epic pub business.”
Having first opened its doors in 1962, the Salmon Leap has since gone on to become a local hot spot for events as well as food and drink.
Cannons described The Salmon Leap “the definition of a community pub” which has built up an “excellent reputation” within Totton.
He continued: “I am certain under the stewardship of Shane and his partner, Sanna, the pub will continue to thrive with the support of Punch’s industry-leading investment and support for many years to come.”
Last month, Punch added 14 pubs to its portfolio with the acquisition of the Milton 1 & 2 portfolio from real estate investment company Aprirose.
The Staffordshire-based pubco, which has an estate of around 1,300 sites, said it is “continually seeking more quality acquisitions”, including packages and single-site opportunities that fit well with its “modern and progressive vision and growth plans”.
