The company that owns several of Bristol’s most popular pubs has bought another one close to the city. Liberation Group’s UK Butcombe Pubs & Inns business has acquired The Rising Sun in Backwell from previous owners the OHH Pub Company.
In the same deal, Liberation Group has also bought another popular OHH Pub Company site, The Northey Arms in Box, Wiltshire. Both pubs have now joined the Butcombe estate, which also includes Bristol pubs including the award-winning Ostrich in Redcliffe, The Cottage at Baltic Wharf and The Whitmore Tap on Whiteladies Road.
The Rising Sun was taken over by the OHH Pub Company in 2016 and its location between Bristol and Weston-super-Mare has made it a popular destination. The pub boasts a ‘secret’ garden comprising eight heated pods under canvas.
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A recent addition has been a garden bar serving drinks alongside woodfired sourdough pizzas. There’s also an extensive children’s play area and boutique bedrooms for people who want to stay the night.
Jonathan Lawson, CEO, Liberation Group says: “We are delighted to welcome these fantastic pubs to the Butcombe side of the family. These two new sites are a great fit for us, both geographically and operationally and they offer an exciting opportunity for us to deliver our award-winning food, drink and hospitality experience to locals and visitors alike.”
Lawson says the acquisition is in line with Butcombe Pubs & Inns’ longer-term strategy to expand its presence throughout the West Country via the acquisition of high quality, predominantly freehold pubs capable of supporting a premium, food-led offering with accommodation.
“We look forward to welcoming the teams on board and working closely with them to implement our ambitious plans. Thanks to OHH Company, headed up by Mark Warburton, they’re both well established and popular local pubs with excellent reputations.”
Butcombe Pubs & Inns will incorporate the acquired sites, and associated employees, into its existing portfolio and intends to invest substantial capital into both of the businesses to support future growth.
Now that it has sold The Rising Sun and The Northey Arms, the OHH Pub Company still has three other sites. As well as its original pub, The Old House at Home, the family-run company has The Bear & Swan in Chew Magna and The Cow & Sow steak restaurant in Queen Square, Bristol.
