New Cotswolds pub for Brakspear

July 20, 2012

Brakspear has completed the purchase of its third pub in as many weeks, taking the tenanted operator’s total estate to 144 and giving it a foothold in the heart of the Cotswolds.

The Royalist in Stow-on-the-Wold is reputed to be England’s oldest inn, with parts of the building dating back to the 10th century. Grade II listed, it currently houses a separate restaurant as well as 14 recently modernised letting rooms.

Brakspear chief executive Tom Davies said, “The Royalist has enormous potential thanks to its outstanding location and rich heritage. We are looking forward to making it the first choice drinking, dining and overnight destination for the many visitors to Stow from both the UK and abroad.”

He added, “Brakspear has a good track record in combining olde worlde charm with fine modern dining and high-spec accommodation, as the many food-led pubs with rooms in our core Thames Valley estate demonstrate.  Moving this successful formula into the Cotswolds  is an exciting prospect that we are confident will pay handsome dividends.”

Brakspear has invested significantly in its pubs with letting rooms. The White Hart at Nettlebed near Henley received a £250,000 refurbishment in spring 2011, followed by additional letting rooms this year to take the total to 19. The Crown at Playhatch also received a £500,000 remodelling, including an upgrade of its 10 rooms.

The Royalist is currently operating with an interim Brakspear tenant while the company considers longer-term options. Brakspear will be investing substantially in the pub to ensure it is able to deliver on its potential.