Heartwood Collection has acquired two former Whitbread pubs as part of its continued expansion efforts.
The group has acquired the George and Dragon in Marlow and the Red Lion in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Both sites are near Premier Inn hotels and were sold as part of Whitbread’s strategy to downsize its pub and restaurant division.
Under Heartwood's ownership, the pubs will receive multi-million-pound refurbishments. The George and Dragon is set to reopen as Heartwood’s seventh pub with rooms in 2025.
Heartwood was established from the Brasserie Bar Co business in 2023 and now operates 25 Heartwood Inns pubs and 14 Brasserie Blanc restaurants throughout the UK.
The new acquisitions will be added to the seven other sites scheduled to open over the next 12 months.
Heartwood aims to expand to over 60 locations by 2027, bolstered by a £100 million funding package secured last year.
Given that the Red Lion is a listed building near the Royal Shakespeare Company, Heartwood plans to undertake a 'sympathetic' renovation, creating 175 indoor covers and 200 outdoor seats across the bar and dining areas.
Richard Ferrier, chief executive of Heartwood Collection, said: “We have real momentum in our acquisition programme at present and a busy 12 months ahead.”