Team behind Newman Street Tavern take over the Lady Ottoline

Gastropub operator Noble Inns has sold the Lady Ottoline public house and dining room in Bloomsbury, London.

The historic pub, which underwent a £500,000 refurbishment when it was acquired in 2011, has been taken over by Truffle Hunting. The restaurant consultancy, run by Nigel Sutcliffe and James MacLean, is behind projects such as Newman Street Tavern in London's Fitzrovia, the Princess Victoria in Shepherd's Bush and the Henry Root in Fulham.

Commenting on the sale, Noble Inns owner Scott Hunter said: "Our company has changed significantly in the three years we've had the Lady Ottoline, and it became clear earlier this year that as the company continues to grow we are moving in a direction far removed from its style."

Noble Inns still has three north London pubs in its portfolio. The Princess of Shoreditch, the Pig & Butcher and the more recently opened Smokehouse. In August, the operator announced the appointment of Smokehouse chef Neil Rankin as group executive chef and revealed its newest brand - Bad Egg. It is believed this bar and restaurant concept - as opposed to a pub - will be launched in the City towards the end of the year.

The Truffle Hunting team have brought in chef Richard Meakin from the Princess Victoria to head the Lady Ottoline kitchen, while Hannah Bonnell from Newman Street Tavern is to oversee the bar and dining room.

The deal was brokered by leisure property agent Davis Coffer Lyons.