Prospect Pubs & Bars adds second site to estate

Dan Shotton and Mark Draper (pictured) have taken on their second site after securing The Victoria in Woodham.

The founders of Prospect Pubs & Bars – and former owners of Redcomb Pubs, which was sold to Young’s Brewery last year – are undertaking a joint £580,000 refurbishment with Star Pubs & Bars, owners of The Victoria, which has been closed for 14 months.

The aim is to transform the outlet it into a family-friendly village local, offering great food at affordable prices and exceptional service.

This latest venture follows on from the launch of their first pub under the Prospect Pubs & Bars banner, The Evenlode in Eynsham, situated on the outskirts of Oxford. The pair bought the freehold site for £1.75m in July 2019 and have since undertaken a sympathetic refurbishment, which included adding seven en-suite bedrooms to the property.

“Despite the current situation, our strategy remains to acquire three to five sites a year for the next five years, comprising of a mix of freehold, leased and tenanted sites, and it’s great to finally be able to get these wheels back in motion,” says Draper. “Our ambition is to create a group of successful and profitable pubs and pubs with rooms that are accessible to all, with a well-positioned premium offering.

“The Victoria, like The Evenlode, is ideally located to attract both a local audience as well as those travelling through the area for business or for pleasure.”

Alongside The Victoria, Prospect Pubs & Bars has confirmed two further properties are in the pipeline, both forecast to open in 2021.

For a trip down memory lane, you can read Pub & Bar’s 2016 interview with Draper and Shotton here.