Liberation Group, the Jersey-based pub and drinks business, has agreed to acquire six of the Channel Islands’ best known pubs and bars from Sealyham Investments Limited/Lapwing Trading, for an undisclosed sum.
The properties, which takes Liberation’s estate to c75 sites, were originally part of the CI Traders group of businesses, but when Sandpiper CI acquired the company’s portfolio of pubs and bars in 2007, these six were not included.
The Liberation Group bought the remaining pubs, brewing and drinks business of Sandpiper CI in 2008 and has continued to supply drink products to the six businesses that are part of the agreement announced today.
In Guernsey the acquisition includes the Ship & Crown and Crow’s Nest Restaurant, and L’Auberge, both of which are managed sites. The Happy Landings close to Guernsey Airport and the Captain’s Hotel are the two tenanted businesses acquired.
In Jersey the Ha’penny Bridge and the Seymour Inn, both tenanted, will also become part of the Liberation Group portfolio.
All managers and staff will remain as part of the deal, which is subject to approval by the Channel Islands Competition & Regulatory Authorities.
Mark Crowther, chief executive of the Liberation Group, said: “The pubs have been well invested in and looked after under the stewardship of Lapwing Trading for the past seven years and we are delighted to now welcome these great sites into the Liberation Group family. We have no plans to make any changes to the day to day operation for any of the sites or their employees, other than we will look to integrate the two managed sites into our popular Inndulgence card loyalty programme.”
Tom Scott, director of Sealyham Investments Limited, said: “It has been a privilege to look after these well-established and popular pubs in both islands and we are pleased that they will now form part of the portfolio managed by the Liberation Group. I would like to say thank you to the excellent staff, tenants and the loyal customers, who have made and will continue to make these pubs as successful as they are.”
