4Q Pub Company, the south coast-based group led by Nick Warner, is looking to expand further after securing its third site and first in Dorset.
The company has secured the Minster Arms in Wimborne from Rock Restaurants for an undisclosed sum and is already looking at a fourth opening.
The disposal is part of the Colonial Leisure Limited backed company’s strategy to focus on its other hospitality venues.
Warner has over 18 years experience in the licensed sector, most recently in an operational capacity. He opened his first gastropub, The Swan Inn in Barton Stacey, Hampshire in October 2011, which recently underwent an extensive refurbishment. In 2012, he purchased The Olive Tree in Romsey, which is now a market town-style gastropub. His latest venture, The Minster Arms, is expected to reopen in July (2014).
Warner said: “This is a very exciting time for the company and opening the third venue in our third year is exactly where I wanted to be. We will have three excellent free houses that trade well above the average and are looking strong for the fourth.”
The free-of-tie public house and restaurant is located close to the centre of the historic market town. It has an extensive ground floor trading area with bar and dining for over 85 covers as well as an enclosed beer garden for an additional 45 customers. It also benefits from a 2am licence and historic planning permission to convert 10-letting rooms on the upper floors.
Chris Bickle, associate director at Davis Coffer Lyons, who acted on the deal, said: “Wimborne Minster is a delightful town which, with the other attractions that surround, draws in plenty of tourist business to supplement local custom. The Minster Arms is an equally appealing proposition; free of tie, spacious interior and extensive uppers, all of which appealed to Nick’s ambitions.”
