Publicans Drive Ambitious Acquisitions Strategy
Charles Wells Pub Company celebrated the New Year by announcing one of the largest acquisitions in its history, bringing the estate to 260 pubs. The acquisition represents a landmark decision for the company to expand beyond its traditional heartland and marks an important step forward in the delivery of its mission to become Pub Company of Choice for licensees and consumers.
The Bedford based company has invested £9 million to acquire ten highly sought after pubs from Traditional Freehouses, all of which operate under lease agreements. The pubs are primarily food led, destination outlets located along the M40 corridor although the group also includes sites in Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Warwickshire and Staffordshire. Five feature letting accommodation, which is one of the areas already identified for expansion across the existing estate to stimulate business development.
Anthony Wallis, Managing Director of Charles Wells Pub Company said “These sites are excellent businesses and we look forward to working with our new lessees to further develop their positions as a venue of choice within their individual communities. The outlets complement our strategy of investing in food-led pubs with letting rooms which provide retailers with profitable and sustainable businesses.”
The acquisitions are part of a seven point strategy to support licensees in creating successful businesses. The strategy is based on consultation with current and potential Charles Wells Pub Company licensees and includes investment in property, marketing and training. Through this feed back, the company is constantly improving and evolving so that its licensees are positioned to react and capitalise on the challenges facing the licensed trade.
The new distribution territories opened up by the supply agreement with Wells and Young’s Brewing Company Ltd has allowed Charles Wells Pub Company to significantly extend the boundaries of their traditional operating area.
Wallis adds, “We now have the means to broaden our acquisition activity into the new distribution territory. We also have the funds and available resource to move quickly so are therefore keen to secure further pub groups or single sites as soon as possible. Saying that, they must still have the potential to meet our marketing led strategy of being First Choice for Customer and Consumer.”
The pubs acquired through the agreement with Traditional Freehouses are: The George, Castleton (Derbyshire), The Duke of Wellington, Bourton on the Water (Gloucestershire), The Kilkenney, Andoversford (Gloucestershire), The Peacock, Redmile (Leicestershire), The Boot Inn, Barnard Gate (Oxfordshire), The Hand & Shears, Church Hanborough (Oxfordshire),The Moon & Sixpence, Hanwell (Oxfordshire), The Unicorn, Deddington (Oxfordshire), The Greyhound, Yarlet (Staffordshire), The Golden Cross, Ardens Grafton (Warwickshire),
Charles Wells Pub Company offers a range of business opportunities in the pub trade for exceptional licensees and enthusiastic entrepreneurs. Find out more at www.charleswells.co.uk
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For immediate release: Friday 5th January 2007
For further information, please contact: Kate Hempsall
Customer Marketing Manager,
Charles Wells Pub Company
Tel: + 44 (0)1234 272625
