Cozy Pubs acquires former Marco Pierre White site

Cozy Pubs has acquired former Marco Pierre White pub, the Angel in Lavenham.

The company purchased the leasehold interest for the property, which dates back to 1420, from Colossus Inns. It was formerly part of Marco Pierre White's Wheelers of St James stable.

Cozy Pubs' director Leanne Langman said: "This is a cracking pub and we're really pleased to have got it. There's so much we can do here and we can't wait to bring The Angel into the Cozy Pubs' fold and give the whole place a new lease of life. We're looking to invest £100,000 on a complete refurbishment of the pub to get the hotel bedrooms to the high standard we want, and bring the pub back to the town."

"What we really want to do is to put the pub back into The Angel, with an emphasis on seasonal freshly prepared food and our own brand of warm, friendly Cozy hospitality," she said. "We will serve cask ales and premium lagers, alongside a carefully chosen wine list, quality spirits and a great choice of tea and coffee. Our kitchen will do good, honest home-made food, from steaks and sandwiches to sharing boards and top-notch Sunday roasts, all the elements of a great pub menu."

Langman founded Cozy Pubs in 2010 along with Timothy Doyle and Paul Cutsforth. Between them, they currently run the Eight Bells in Saffron Walden, the Cricketers Arms in nearby Rickling Green and the Saracens Head hotel and its sister business Saracens Fitness Gym in Great Dunmow.

Last year, the Essex-based company had sales of just under £3m and a group EBITDA of £350,000 (2013). Overall revenue grew by 25% and like-for-like sales by 3% in the same period.

2014 has seen 4% like-for-like growth to the half year. Accommodation revenue in particular has been strong in 2014 with over 10% growth and Christmas bookings are also reported to be in good shape. Cozy Pubs expects to report sales and profit growth again for the year ending 2014.

The company is still looking for sites across Essex, Cambridge, Hertfordshire and Suffolk, in particular pubs with rooms or small- to medium-sized hotels.