Whiting & Hammond, the gastropub operator, has confirmed its acquisition of the Blue Ball in Walton on the Hill in Surrey, which it has said will be the first of two new sites added this year.
The pub is to be refurbished following a joint investment of £750k from Whiting & Hammond and Star Pubs & Bars, which owns the site.
The pub is to be extended with a kitchen added to the first floor and three huts installed in the garden for year-round alfresco dining.
Whiting and Hammond first added huts to its Little Brown Jog pub and on the back of their popularity included them in the garden design at The Kings Head in Sevenoaks which opened last year.
This is the first move into Surrey for the group, expanding its southeast heartland from Sussex and Kent.
Managing director, Brian Whiting said: “This is an exciting time and we look forward to getting this pub open and trading once more. I have no doubt Walton on the hill will be proud to have this great pub as their local once more.
