Redcomb Pubs Ltd, the multiple operator led by Dan Shotton and Mark Draper, has acquired a pub and 30 bedroom hotel in Guildford from Whitbread.
The group is planning a major investment in The Worplesdon Place – an ex-Beefeater and Premier Inn – to create a relaxed, country pub with rooms.
Dan Shotton, managing director said: “The Worplesdon Place Hotel is a beautiful building set in two acres of gardens with its own lake, and will fit perfectly into our rooms division, taking our total portfolio to over 100 rooms.”
Redcomb now has more than 100 rooms across its portfolio of pubs.
The Worplesdon Place will serve simple, seasonal, freshly cooked food with wines and beers as well as having individually styled bedrooms.
Shotton said: “Trading over the last quarter has been especially strong, with LFL performance in excess of +5.4% and occupancy averaging 78% across our hotels, and we are still ahead of our acquisition strategy for 2015. We are now focusing on building our pipeline even further for both our rooms and pub divisions, and are actively seeking freeholds and free of tie leases in London, the south east and M4 corridor.”
Last year Shotton and Draper raised funds throught the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) to add between five and seven new venues each year with an interest in pubs with bedrooms or the scope to add rooms.
