Drake & Morgan acquires third pub

Drake & Morgan, the fledgling bar-restaurant group led by Jillian MacLean and John Connell, has acquired its third site.

The Anthologist, a 10,000+ sq ft venue in Gresham Street, London, is set to open in April 2010.

M&C Report suggest Drake & Morgan have acquired the £350,000 pa site in a deal which includes a two year rent free period and a capital contribution from its landlords Arab Investments.

The site follows on from the unveiling of The Parlour in Canary Wharf and the group's first site the Refinery at the Blue Fin at Bankside, which have exceeded trade expectations.

MacLean, who is managing director of the operation, and Connell, who is chairman, have ambitions to build a 10-strong group of bars, with food sales accounting for about 30% of the sales mix.

MacLean is a former operations director at Novus Leisure and has also worked at Mitchells & Butlers, Spirit Group and Tattershall Castle, while Connell is something of a serial entrepreneur having founded the Lewis & Clarke and Thomas & Carter chains in partnership with Steve Wilkins.

Shelley Sandzer advised Drake & Morgan and CVA Grimley acted on behalf of the landlord Arab Investments.