Shepherd Neame, the Kent-based brewer and pub operator, has continued the expansion of its estate with the acquisition of three popular Essex pubs.
The family brewer has acquired Bellhouse in Leigh-on-Sea, The Exchange in Southend-on-Sea and The Hamlet Court in Westcliff-on-Sea, taking Shepherd Neame’s total of pubs and hotels to 303, across Kent, London and the South East.
It follows the company’s acquisition of Urban Reef seafood restaurant in Bournemouth earlier this month.
All three Essex properties are freehold and were part of the East Anglia Pub Company portfolio, and the sale officially completed yesterday (Thursday, July 28).
Jonathon Swaine, Shepherd Neame’s managing director, pubs, said: “Following the strong company performance revealed in our latest trading update at the end of June, we have been actively looking for opportunities to grow and develop our high quality estate and are delighted to expand our presence in Essex with these unique properties.”
Built as a hunting lodge around the 16th century, The Bellhouse is a large pub and restaurant with a large patio area and garden and open fires in the characterful bar.
The Exchange is a popular pub in the Southchurch Village, Southend, which was previously operated as a bank before being developed into a pub in 2002, and makes use of the original bank vault as its beer cellar.
Located in the centre of Westcliff-on-Sea, The Hamlet Court is a recently refurbished community pub, renowned as a live music venue, and popular for pre-theatre dinner and drinks.
