Fullers buys London gastropub group

The owners of a London-based boutique gastropub group, Jacob and Guiness Ltd, have sold up to family-run brewers Fuller, Smith and Turner for an undisclosed sum.

Ewan Guinness and Matt Jacomb, co-owners of the Pilot in Chiswick, the Stonemasons Arms in Hammersmith, the Mason's Arms in Battersea and the Grand Union in Ladbroke Grove, are thought to have become millionaires through the deal.

A spokeswoman for Fullers said: "We always wanted to expand but have been waiting for right pubs at right prices. We are still on the acquisition trail and want to double the size of our owned and tenanted estate in the medium term."

Fullers also acquired the Head of Steam at London's Euston station earlier this month and the Wine Vaults in Southsea, Hampshire, in July.

In a separate deal, Soho-based husband-and-wife-publican team Leslie and Noel Botham, who own the French House in Dean Street, have bought the Coach and Horses in nearby Greek Street. The pub was made famous for being the regular watering hole of thirsty Spectator journalist Jeffrey Bernard.

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