Pub operator expands growing estate
PUB operator Urban & Country Leisure has expanded its growing estate by acquiring a Warwickshire pub as parted of a planned £850,000 investment.
UCL, run by entrepreneur Ross Sanders, has acquired the Mother Huff Cap Inn and the deal could be the first of many as the company’s stated intention is to grow its empire by an additional 15 sites over the next two years through an overall investment of £10m.
Funding for the expansion plan will come from three private investors including Bridgehouse Capital, the boutique investment company run by Birmingham born and now global property, investment and telecoms entrepreneur Andy Ruhan.
The Mother Huff Cap, near Alcester, was formerly owned by Midland pubco Punch Taverns. Christie & Co sold the freehold to a private investor for an undisclosed sum, though offers in the region of £300,000 were sought. The new owner then granted a lease to UCL.
Located in the village of Great Alne, the Mother Huff Cap, which dates back to the 18th century, comprises a 40-cover main bar, a 20-cover snug, games room, 80-capacity function room, and a three-bedroom owner’s accommodation.
Work on the refurbishment will start later this month and will culminate with the renaming of the pub as The Greedy Pig.
The Greedy Pig, UCL’s fourth opening in as many months, follows successful openings at three other sites, the Greedy Goose in Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire, the Coach & Horses in Beedon, near Newbury, Berkshire and the Old Volunteer at Caythorpe, near Nottingham.
UCL’s rapid growth in just under twelve months bucks the current economic trend and downturn in the pub and hospitality sector, which is currently seeing more than 50 pub closures each week across the UK.
Managing Director Mr Sanders, the principal architect behind the UCL success story, is now finding his company’s services are rapidly in demand from the major brewers, pub operators and landlords who are finding trading conditions amongst some of the worst on record.
The new Greedy concept is already a hit with customers and UCL’s pub estate has seen a dramatic surge in consumer confidence with food sales up 65% and drink sales up 45%.
As a result, Mr Sanders has already been approached by two major brewers to roll out his UCL blueprint into parts of their estate on a zero premium, with UCL receiving management fees and profits on their blueprint roll out.
Mr Sanders said he attributed the success of his UCL blueprint to identifying customer trends and needs, careful choice of location and quality interior design schemes along with exceptional food and drink offerings.
A realistic pricing policy that aims for repeat business across the estate is also paying off.
Mr Sanders, Managing Director of UCL, said: “The Greedy Pig will be redeveloped in line with UCL’s ‘Pub Blueprint’. It’s all about the personal touch, tailoring each pub to directly meet the wants and needs of the customer.
“In the current economic climate, repeat business and volume increases are critical and this is only achievable by offering both high quality and value for money food and drink.”
