The sale includes several well-known pubs, such as the Balham Bowls Club, the Antelope in Tooting, and the Sun in Camberwell.
Eleven pubs that were previously part of the Antic hospitality group have been bought out of administration by Urban Pubs & Bars (UPB).
The sites are located across London and include popular venues like Balham Bowls Club in Balham, the Antelope in Tooting, and the Sun in Camberwell.
These pubs are part of a portfolio of 13 Antic pubs and bars that went into administration in July, following challenges with debts accumulated during the pandemic.
The Dogstar in Brixton, Tooting Tram and Social in Tooting, and Coopers in Crystal Palace were not part of the sale but will continue to operate while administrators engage in discussions with potential buyers.
Urban Pubs & Bars has acquired eight operating leasehold businesses and three vacant freehold sites from the administrators.
The expanding leisure business, which already operates 44 pubs, bars, and restaurants across London, will assume control of the newly acquired sites immediately.
Joint administrator Steve Absolom from Interpath Advisory said: “This eclectic group of popular pubs and bars have traded well since our appointment just over seven weeks ago and buyer interest has been extremely strong.
“We are delighted that we have been able to secure this transaction with UPB and importantly safeguard the jobs for their loyal and hard-working employees.”
UPB, founded by Malc Heap and Nick Pring in 2014, has already doubled the size of its estate since the pandemic, reflecting its rapid expansion and strong growth strategy.
It is one of London’s fastest-growing pub businesses, and with its latest acquisition, the group has expanded to 52 trading sites. This growth highlights the company's aggressive expansion strategy and its increasing influence in the London hospitality market.
Its flagship pubs include several notable locations across London, such as the Wheatsheaf in Tooting, the Gatehouse in Highgate, the Bat & Ball in Stratford, the recently opened Red Setter in Battersea, and the Victory in Waterloo.
Earlier this year, UPB reported a group EBITDA of £6.4 million for the financial year ending 30 April 2023, marking an 11% increase compared to the previous year.
Like-for-like sales increased by 17%, while turnover surged by nearly 60% to £52.2 million.
The eleven pubs acquired by UPB include:
Leasehold Sites
Red Lion, High Road Leytonstone
East Dulwich Tavern, Lordship Lane
The Antelope, Mitcham Road
Hagen & Hyde, Balham High Street
Balham Bowls Club, Ramsden Road
Clapton Hart, Lower Clapton Road
Elephant & Castle, Newington Causeway
The Sun of Camberwell, Coldharbour Lane
Freehold Sites
The Volunteer, Powis Street
The Mews, Norbury Crescent
Linman & Turner, Penge High Street
