Innventure, the pub company run by former Mitchells & Butlers executive Chris Gerard, has secured its sixth site, its first with Bedford brewer Charles Wells.
The company has taken a lease on the Cross Keys in Saffron Walden, Essex.
A joint £600,000 investment between the Innventure and Charles Wells is set to restore some of the original features of the building, which dates back to 1560. The proposals include creating full access to the Cross Keys’ inglenook fireplace, as well as installing a glazed entrance and a glazed wine cellar.
Gerard told M&C Report said Innventure may look to secure other sites with Charles Wells in the future. On the prospect of further expansion, he said: “When there’s something of high quality and scale with the right demography, we’ll consider it.”
The Cross Keys is due to re-open in May.
