Ei Managed Investments, the Ei Group business which invests alongside industry-leading managed house operators, is to launch its ninth venture, Hush Heath Inns, a partnership with Hush Heath Estate.
Hush Heath Inns' first site will be The Ship Inn, in the historic town of Rye, East Sussex. The site currently has 10 bedrooms and will remain open until a refurbishment begins early in 2018. The Ship Inn, and future sites, will reflect the individual character of the location with Hush Heath wines and ciders featuring prominently throughout.
As a hospitality business born out of its award-winning winery in Staplehurst, Kent, Hush Heath Estate has four pubs that champion the county's best food and drink. Three of the pubs also offer boutique hotel rooms.
The Balfour-Lynn family planted the first vines in 2002 and Hush Heath Estate has evolved to produce some of the UK's finest sparkling wines, still wines and ciders. The Balfour-Lynn family has appointed a new commercial director to support this venture; Ed Gardner was previously Managing Director of Corney & Barrow Bars.
Nathan Wall, Operations Director for Ei Managed Investments, added: 'Hush Heath Inns is an exciting venture for us in being a 'Pubs with Rooms' business and another venture outside of London. Hush Heath Estate is a unique hospitality proposition with its focus around the winery and we look forward to working with the team.'
Ed Gardner, Commercial Director for Hush Heath Estate, said, 'We are absolutely delighted to be working with Ei Managed Investments and taking on the Ship Inn, Rye. Ei Managed Investments, together with our leading premium English wine and cider estate is launching a broader 'Pubs with Rooms' business, which is a first in UK hospitality.
'We look forward to welcoming our guests who will be able to enjoy the finest local food and drink in a beautiful Sussex pub.'
Ei Managed Investments continues to work with industry-leading managed house operators and benefit from their individual retail capabilities. Other expert partners include Rupert Clevely, with Hippo Inns, Karen Jones, with Frontier Pubs, and Peter Borg-Neal, with Hunky Dory Pubs.
Managed Investments has grown rapidly since its launch in May 2015 and there are now 32 pubs operating across the nine different ventures.