JW Lees buys Cheshire pub

JW Lees has bought the Hanging Gate in Weaverham, Cheshire, ensuring its return to a traditional pub.

The pub, which was trading as Italian restaurant Casa Matta until it closed in September, was marketed for sale at £650,000.

It will revert to being a traditional pub trading under its original name, The Hanging Gate.

Vendor Trevor Sayle, of the Goldfinch Pension Scheme, said: “The property had been let to the New Moon Pub Company who unfortunately went into administration. I have strong connections to the village and really wanted to make sure I secured a good future for this property, which would enhance village life.”

The purchase follows JW Lees’ strategy of growing its pub estate in the North West and it will be integrated into the JW Lees business as well as benefitting from capital investment early in 2017.

William Lees-Jones, managing director of JW Lees, said: “We are proud to be welcoming another new pub into the JW Lees family and we remain hungry for acquisitions of both managed and tenanted pubs as well as hotels in the North West.”

Lesley Watmough from Fleurets’ Manchester office was instructed to sell the property in late September.