The Dovecote Barn, which opens this month, can accommodate parties of up to 100 people and has been designed for weddings, private celebrations, corporate functions and seasonal events.
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The investment follows a strong first half for the premium pub group and brewer, during which wedding revenue increased by 37% year-on-year.
Butcombe, which was named Best Pub Employer (501+ Employees) at the Publican Awards 2026, said demand for events and occasions had more than doubled across its estate over the past year, while weddings had increased threefold.
Growing demand
The venue has already secured bookings ahead of opening, including its first wedding.
It will also host a networking breakfast on 6 October and a wedding fayre on 11 October, featuring local suppliers and support from the venue’s events team.
Alongside weddings and private events, the Dovecote Barn will host seasonal experiences, including adults-only Halloween horror movie nights and a festive Après Barn concept.
Jayson Perfect, chief operating officer at Butcombe Group, told the Morning Advertiser (MA): “The Dovecote is an exciting addition to the Methuen Arms and another important step in the development of our Butcombe Boutique Inns portfolio.
“We’ve seen first-hand the value that high-quality event and occasion spaces bring to our pubs, with growing demand for weddings, private dining experiences and corporate events.”
Site-by-site investment
Perfect said Butcombe was looking at further opportunities to add similar capabilities across its Boutique Inn estate and future investment projects.
He added: “Events and occasions are becoming an increasingly important part of how customers use our pubs, and we see a real opportunity to invest further where it makes sense for each site.
“Our estate includes some fantastic pubs in exceptional locations, and we are always looking for ways to give customers more reasons to visit.”
Perfect said the group would not add event spaces at every site, but would assess opportunities based on location, layout, accommodation, garden space and private rooms.
He added: “We are taking a proactive and considered approach to this growing area of the business and will continue to invest where we believe we can create a compelling customer experience while delivering strong, long-term returns.”
