Acquisition grows Coaching Inn portfolio to 15 sites

Coaching Inn Group, backed by BGF, purchased the freehold and business in an off-market transaction from the Lewis Partnership.

The purchase is part of a strategy for the hotel and pub group to grow its estate through the selective acquisition of three to four sites per year. The group said it has a strong pipeline of potential sites to add to its estate.

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According to the Coaching Inn Group, the Swan is complementary in style to its other properties and trades well following significant investment and modernisation by the Lewis Partnership. The venue has 31 rooms, a bar, a fine-dining restaurant, coffee shop and significant outside space.

Character and heritage buildings 

The group's portfolio comprises character/heritage buildings in small to medium-sized towns spanning North Yorkshire to Berkshire and Lincolnshire to West Wales.

Coaching Inn Group said it would benefit from the economies of scale it can bring to the Swan and the staff, who are all remaining post acquisition.

“The Swan is exactly the type of property and business that we like to acquire. It has a prominent position in Stafford, it has heritage and it has been lovingly nurtured and developed by its previous owners,” said Kevin Charity, chief executive of the pubco.

'A gem'

“It is a gem," he said, adding "We will look after it, bringing our experience, systems and capital to take it on the next stage of its journey.”

Chris Lewis, managing partner of The Lewis Partnership said: “Coaching Inn Group have a fantastic reputation. Their impressive and ever-growing portfolio of beloved coaching inns, like the Swan, leaves me with no doubt that they will make great custodians of this historic venue.”

Fleurets advised Coaching Inns on the transaction.