Brakspear to open fifth managed pub
Pub operator and brewer Brakspear has bought the George hotel in Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire, making it the fifth site in its fledgling managed pub estate.
The food-led venue is on Shipston's main square and has a restaurant with two private dining rooms and 16 letting rooms.
Brakspear plans to refurbish the site soon, but trading will continue as usual until that point.
Tom Davies, Brakspear chief executive, said: "We're delighted to have acquired this large, characterful site in a prime location in the Cotswolds. It has exciting potential as a destination food pub serving an affluent local market, and as a location for an overnight or weekend stay in one of the most visited areas of the country.
"As with all our managed pubs, we're keen to develop the George in a way that retains its individuality and heritage, while adding elements that have worked at our other sites. We're looking forward to starting the refurbishment later this year."
The George is Brakspear's second managed site in the Cotswolds, joining the Porch House in Stow-on-the-Wold, which opened in October 2013.
Operations manager Mat Aket will run the pub alongside executive chef Antony Ely, who will be in charge of menu design, introducing a quality pub food offer similar to that in Brakspear's other managed pubs.
Brakspear aims to have an estate of 10 managed pubs within the next couple of years. Its first, the Bull on Bell Street in Henley-on-Thames, opened in March 2013, followed by the Porch House, the Running Horses in Mickleham, Surrey and the Chequers in Marlow.
Brakspear appoints Antony Ely as executive chef in managed pubs >>
