Top hosts buy two foodie freeholds

Four award-winning licensees have bought the freeholds to their food-led pub businesses from Enterprise and Punch.

Ashley and Kelly Mc-Carthy, of Ye Olde Sun, Colton, near Tadcaster, North Yorkshire purchased the freehold to their pub from Enterprise. The McCarthys have been Enterprise lessees since 2004 and purchased Ye Olde Sun for £500,000.

The couple plan to restructure the kitchen, relocate the deli to the front of the pub and build cottage accommodation. They are also looking to expand their beer list now they are freehold.

Kelly McCarthy said: "We are very pleased with the price. It is a difficult year for pubcos and is a good time to get a pub at a good price. The climate is right for good operators to reap the benefits in the end for the hard work they have put in to their businesses."

The McCarthys got finance to buy the business from Abbey National. The couple have also taken on private lease the White Swan at Wighill, North Yorkshire.

James and Charles Rogers of the Dog Inn, Grundisburgh, near Woodbridge, Suffolk, paid £515,000 for their Punch lease. The brothers, who have been at the Dog for six years, got a 90% mortgage from Abbey Commercial. The pub serves an average 800 to 900 covers a week and has a wet:dry split of 40:60. The pair plan to extend the pub's dining area and develop the beer range to include more real ales.

James Rogers said: "We approached Punch a year ago about buying, when we heard they were selling off pubs. Then five months ago Punch sold very big volume pubs in our area to Adnams, so we re-approached them. We are really excited about the opportunities owning the pub opens up for us."