Bravo Inns has secured its 38th pub and revealed solid Christmas trading.
Managing director Ken Buckley told M&C the group had completed on the freehold acquisition of the Boars Head in Sutton, St Helens from Punch.
The pub has been closed for several years and Punch had applied for permission to build a convenience store on the site.
Buckley told M&C the pub would be closed for three weeks for a refit and would operate under the traditional Bravo community pub model with a focus on sports.
On festive trading he said: “We were just over 4% up on a like-for-like basis so I will certainly take that and I’m pleased with how we have started in the new year. We are in a good position with the state, with every single pub contributing and we are keen to add to it.
Bravo owners Albion Ventures admitted last year it was reviewing its options with regards to the group.
