Rhesus to buy Jim Thompson's?

Rhesus Holdings, owner of the 800-strong Alehouse pub company and the Ushers of Trowbridge brewery, has announced a change of name and plans to acquire a pub-restaurant chain, thought to be Jim Thompson's.

Rhesus is changing its name to InnSpired, which the group says reflects its decision to concentrate on expanding and developing its tenanted and managed pubs.

It plans to withdraw from brewing and has given the management of Ushers of Trowbridge until 15 March to mount a management buy-out of the brewing operation.

The company said: "InnSpired is committed to building a national chain of tenanted pubs spread across the major areas of the UK and will refocus its managed house division on two branded products - a town-centre pub-restaurant chain and out-of-town pubs with sizeable restaurants and, where possible, accommodation."

It added: "InnSpired expects to announce initial acquisitions for both divisions shortly and in this respect agreement has been reached in principle for the acquisition of an emerging town-centre themed pub-restaurant chain which has won a number of national awards.

"InnSpired intends to roll out the brand from its current Greater London base to UK provincial cities and town centres."

Although the company declined to name its takeover target, Oriental-themed chain Jim Thompson's fits the bill perfectly.

The group has half-a-dozen outlets in Greater London and last year won the Caterer & Hotelkeeper Pub Industry Award. It has also picked up accolades from Carlton Television and the Licensee and Morning Advertiser.

InnSpired's chief executive Robert Breare is also chairman of Jim Thompson's.

Breare said in a statement: "Our withdrawal from brewing is a necessary, though regrettable, step in our determined path to build one of the UK's leading pub and hospitality companies."