Somerset Inns acquires first pub

Newly-formed Somerset Inns has acquired its first property, The Farmers Inn in West Hatch, Somerset.

The company has been set up by former hotelier and publican Robin Wheeler and wife Natasha to "take advantage of the reasonable prices being charged for pubs at the moment". It is targeting freehold and free-of-tie leaseholds throughout the South-west.

Somerset has picked up the Taunton pub, which is set in seven-acres of countryside and has five bedrooms and a 70-seat restaurant, through property agent Colliers Robert Barry for close to the asking price of £95,000.

Robin Wheeler, who opened Brighton Pier hotel and has worked at the Belfry and at the London and Cardiff Astoria hotels, has recruited Adam Boutwell, previously head chef at the Talbot Inn in Oxford, to head the kitchen.

He said: "I feel now is a great time for good operators to snap up good businesses with healthy turnovers at a bargain basement price as long as you have the cash."

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By Chris Druce

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