Heartwood buys more freeholds from Whitbread

Heartwood Collection, the hospitality group formerly known at Brasserie Bar Co, has acquired two more sites from Whitbread Plc.

As it continues its fast expansion programme, Heartwood has purchased The George & Dragon in Marlow and The Red Lion in Stratford upon Avon.

The acquisitions follow its recent buy of The Manor Inn, Godalming, again from Whitbread. The sale from Whitbread coincides with its plans to slash its restaurant estate by over 200 venues.

What's the plan?

Both properties will undergo multi-million pound refurbishments, with The George & Dragon becoming Heartwood’s seventh pub with rooms and scheduled to reopen in 2025.

The pubs join the seven other sites already confirmed by Heartwood for the next 12 months as part of its growth plan to reach over 60 sites by 2027.

"We are absolutely delighted to have acquired these two iconic pubs from Whitbread," says ​Richard Ferrier, CEO of Heartwood Collection (pictured). "We have tracked them for a long time so to get them over the line is really pleasing. We will now invest significant time and capital in them.

"Both The George & Dragon and The Red Lion will add a huge amount to our Heartwood Inns business. We have real momentum in our acquisition programme at present and a busy 12 months ahead."

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