Liberation Group-owned Butcombe Brewery has just acquired eight new pubs from the SA Brain portfolio.
The acquisition includes six managed sites: The Smoking Dog in Malmesbury, The Bear in Cirencester, The Bowl in Almondsbury (with 11 bedrooms), Jubilee in Flax Bourton, The Ostrich in Bristol (pictured), and The White Horse in Buckover.
There are also two tenanted pubs purchased, The Langford in Lower Langford and The Old Station in Hallatrow.
Mark Crowther, chief executive of Liberation Group, said, “The addition of these eight high-quality pubs to our portfolio further accelerates the growth of our rapidly expanding pub estate, strengthening our presence in our heartland around Bath and Bristol.
“These pubs are a perfect fit with our existing portfolio and will benefit from ownership by our fast-growing, market-leading regional brewery with its well-known brands. We welcome all those who work in those pubs and look forward to building a successful future together.”
Scott Waddington, chief executive of SA Brain, added, “The sale of our English pubs is well timed, given the outstanding prospects we have to further grow our brand and pubs business in Wales. The rich affection with which our brand is held has further solidified our conviction to pursue our pub agenda inside Wales.
“We will remain very proud of the period of ownership we have enjoyed with the pubs that are being acquired by Butcombe, and believe the team, with their West Country heartland, are well placed to take these businesses forward.”