Brakspear's Honeycomb Houses acquires two Cotswolds sites

Pub operator Brakspear has acquired two sites in the Cotswolds, taking its managed estate to 12 venues.

The Honeycomb Houses managed division now includes the Kings Head in Cirencester, which has been acquired out of administration, and pub with rooms the Redesdale Arms in Moreton-in-Marsh.

The Kings Head was originally a 14th century coaching inn and features 66 bedrooms, a restaurant, an 80-cover roof terrace and 150-cover events space suitable for weddings. It was put on the market after falling into administration in December.

Meanwhile, the Grade II-listed Redesdale Arms is a traditional Cotswold stone building dating back to 1661 featuring 35 ensuite rooms. The hotel currently has three AA red stars.

Both sites will close for a short period to allow for the existing team to be trained up and the Honeycomb Houses summer menu to be integrated into the kitchens.

Tom Davies, chief executive at Brakspear, said: “The Kings Head is a multi-faceted business that strengthens our offer in the Cotswolds, particularly for weddings and functions. With 66 bedrooms, it also becomes our biggest site with accommodation.

“We have built a successful weddings and events business at the Frogmill near Cheltenham and with the addition of the Kings Head, alongside our existing site the Egypt Mill near Stroud, Honeycomb Houses now has a strong proposition for guests wanting to wed or celebrate in the Cotswolds.”

He added: “The Redesdale Arms is a quintessentially Cotswolds pub with rooms. Adding a pub in Moreton-in-Marsh consolidates our presence in the area, alongside our, successful sites in nearby towns such as Stow-on-the-Wold and Shipston-on-Stour. We already benefit from healthy ‘crossover’ trade between our Cotswolds sites, and this gives us another pub where we can offer our guests the Honeycomb House experience.”

Brakspear purchased the Kings Head from administrators FRP Advisory, who were represented by Colliers, and the Redesdale Arms from Redesdale Arms Limited.

Brakspear’s managed estate was founded in 2013 with the opening of the Bell in Henley-on-Thames. It rebranded to Honeycomb Houses in 2021.