Marco Pierre White, the high-profile chef, has acquired two sites, which were previously part of the Merchant Inns portfolio, M&C Report has learnt.
The chef has secured the Carnarvon Arms in Newbury and the Black Boy Inn in Banbury, Oxfordshire, from administrators Baker Tilly.
The Carnarvon Arms will now be re-open under the chef’s Wheeler’s brand. White currently operates six sites under the brand, but is set to convert the Hansom Cab in Kensington and the Rainbow Inn in East Sussex, in which he recently acquired a 50% stake, to the format over the coming months.
It is unclear what his plans for the Black Boy Inn are.
Merchant Inns was placed into administration in October 2009. Bespoke Hotels, the group led by Robin Sheppard, signed a management contract for Merchant in August last year.
The other sites in the estate are the Talbot Inn, Surrey; The Lambert Arms, Oxfordshire; The Horse & Groom Inn, Wiltshire; and The Saracens Head, Essex.
