Mountain Pub Company operates 10 wet-led, operator-managed community pubs across the north of England.
The 10-strong portfolio includes:
- The Engine Room, Bingley
- The Principal, Kendal
- Frenchmans Cove, Blackpool
- The Southport Coaster, Southport
- The Cyclist, New Ferry
- The Kestrel, Barnsley
- Bird in Hand, Leek
- The White Hart, Todmorden
- Lottie Dod, Moreton
- Pride of Shipley, Shipley
The business is led by Helen Standing and was launched in November 2022 with the Southport Coaster.
Join our WhatsApp channel: The Morning Round-Up
Get the biggest pub trade stories straight to your phone. Listen to our one-minute daily news briefing and receive breaking news, exclusives and sector updates throughout the day... just remember to turn notifications on in top right corner!
Following completion of the acquisition, the Mountain Pubs portfolio will become part of Admiral Taverns’ Proper Pubs division.
Proper Pubs, led by Nathan Wall, is Admiral’s wet-led community pub operator division and runs 245 pubs across England, Scotland and Wales.
Community pubs
Admiral Taverns said the acquisition formed part of its strategy to expand its national footprint and strengthen its position in the community pub sector.
The group, backed by Proprium Capital Partners, said it would continue to invest across its estate and support licensees and operators to run sustainable pub businesses.
Admiral Taverns chief executive Chris Jowsey said: “On behalf of the entire team at Admiral Taverns, I am delighted to welcome the Mountain Pub Company to Admiral Taverns.
“We have long admired the Mountain Pubs business and share the same unwavering passion for supporting community pubs across the country.
“The Mountain Pub portfolio will sit as part of our Proper Pubs business, strengthening our footprint of affordable community pubs across the UK, offering everything from a great range of beers, welcoming atmosphere, sport and entertainment, the critical DNA that makes for a great local pub experience.”
Growth journey
Standing said Mountain Pub Company had been built around “high-quality, well-invested community pubs”.
She added: “Mountain’s operating-partner model combines local entrepreneurship with clear operating standards, commercial discipline and central support, allowing each pub to develop its own identity and community offer.
“It has been a pleasure to work alongside Downing throughout Mountain’s growth journey. Their support and background of investment in the sector has been instrumental in helping us build a strong and successful pub business.”
The value of the deal was not disclosed.
