Greene King has invested £250,000 in the Sportsman in Reading, reopening the site under its Nest Pubs franchise concept.
The pub has undergone a full internal refurbishment alongside upgrades to its outdoor trading areas, including a new covered pergola and improvements to the patio and beer garden.
The Sportsman will be operated by franchisee Katie Heath, who has more than five years’ experience running pubs in the area.
Chef Jonas Lodge - a development chef for Tom Kerride - has taken up a kitchen residency with his Clucking Crispy Chicken concept, serving fried chicken wings and burgers.
Nest Pubs is one of two franchise concepts operated by Greene King Pub Partners and focuses on drinks-led community pubs with sport and entertainment.
Heartwood acquires Leamington Spa hotel for multi-million-pound transformation
Heartwood Collection has acquired the Angel Hotel in Leamington Spa, with plans for a multi-million-pound refurbishment.
The Grade II listed coaching inn will reopen in summer 2027 as the Angel Inn, a 47-bedroom pub with rooms.
The refurbishment will include new bar and dining areas and improvements to the garden, alongside Heartwood’s seasonal food and drinks offer.
Dating from around 1818, the Regent Street property will become Heartwood’s first pub with rooms in Warwickshire, joining its existing pubs in Henley-in-Arden and Stratford-upon-Avon.
The acquisition takes Heartwood Collection’s portfolio to 36 pubs and pubs with rooms.
Punch acquires Cromer pub
Punch Pubs & Co has expanded its estate with the acquisition of the Wellington in Cromer, Norfolk.
The Garden Street pub, known locally as the Welly, will undergo an investment and refurbishment programme in 2027.
Punch said the project would focus on enhancing the existing pub while retaining the elements that have established its reputation in the coastal town.
The acquisition comes as Punch continues to target both single sites and pub packages as part of its growth plans.
Heartwood invests £250k in Teddington pub
Heartwood Collection has invested more than £250,000 in the refurbishment of the King’s Head in Teddington.
The pub has reopened following upgrades to its interiors, including new soft furnishings, alongside improvements to its outdoor trading spaces.
The site will continue to be led by general manager Harriet Walker and head chef Florin Cujba, with its existing food and drink offer complemented by a programme of events.
The refurbishment forms part of Heartwood’s wider investment programme across its existing pub estate as the Alchemy Partners backed group continues to expand.
Chief executive Richard Ferrier said the programme reflected the group’s commitment to reinvesting in its existing sites alongside its growth plans.
Urban Pubs & Bars invests £1m in third Bat & Ball venue
Urban Pubs & Bars is investing £1m to transform the former BrewDog Tower Hill site into its third Bat & Ball venue.
Bat & Ball City will open on 25 November, joining existing sites in Stratford and Covent Garden.
The 8,500 sq ft venue will be the first to showcase a refreshed, more premium pub-led design for the brand, combining live sport, food and drink with competitive socialising.
Located within a neo-Gothic building in Tower Hill, the site was previously home to BrewDog’s first UK brewpub and will cater for after-work drinks, group occasions and large-scale events.
The opening continues the expansion of Urban Pubs & Bars’ entertainment-led offer across its more than 70 London venues.
Amber Taverns invests £75k in Ashton-in-Makerfield pub
Amber Taverns has invested £75,000 in the refurbishment of the Golden Lion in Ashton-in-Makerfield.
The pub reopened on 9 October following a refurbishment that included a redesigned bar, upgraded lighting, new décor and furnishings.
Its sports offer has also been upgraded with UHD screens and a large projector showing Sky Sports, TNT Sports and Prime Video.
Further investment is planned into 2027, including improvements to the pub’s signage, exterior decoration and rear beer garden.
The Golden Lion has been operated by Amanda Lightfoot since 2022 and also features a 70 capacity function room alongside regular live entertainment.
Castle Pubs refurbishes Notting Hill pub
Castle Pubs, part of Mitchells & Butlers, is set to reopen the Prince Albert in Notting Hill on 12 November following an extensive refurbishment.
The 257 cover pub has undergone upgrades across both floors, including a new ground floor bar and improvements to its 72 cover garden.
Its former first floor events space has been converted into a 72 cover dining area with its own bar and separate entrance, while the kitchen has been relocated upstairs to increase capacity.
The refurbishment will also see the pub introduce Sunday roasts and Christmas Day dining for the first time.
The project forms part of Castle Pubs’ wider investment programme, with a further 12 sites scheduled for major refurbishments during 2027.
Pocketful of Stones and Admiral invest £100k in Cornish pub
Pocketful of Stones and Admiral Taverns have invested £100,000 in the Red Lion in Newlyn, Cornwall.
The harbour-side pub has reopened following a two-week refurbishment, with improvements including a revamped bar, new courtyard and upgrades to its floors, ceilings and toilets.
Cornish distiller Pocketful of Stones took on the pub with Admiral after it closed at the end of 2025, reopening the site in February this year.
The pub has since expanded its range of Cornish beers, wines and spirits alongside a locally focused food offer.
The Red Lion is Pocketful of Stones’ third hospitality venue, alongside its Penzance bar and tasting room and Falmouth shop.
Rocket Room to open first standalone venue in Leicester
Activity bar brand Rocket Room is set to open its first standalone venue at Highcross Leicester this December.
The 4,000 sq ft site on St Peters Square will feature four AI darts lanes, two shuffleboards, axe throwing and pool alongside a central cocktail bar.
It will also be the brand’s first venue with a full food offer, centred on a Mexican-inspired menu including tacos, loaded fries and chargrilled bavette steak.
The opening follows Rocket Room’s debut at Market Place Food Hall in Leicester Square in April this year.
The privately funded brand is targeting 15 venues over the next two years, with further Midlands openings planned for 2027.
Proper Pubs invests £350k in Tamworth pub
Proper Pubs has reopened the Tame & Anker in Tamworth following a £350,000 investment.
The pub reopened on 9 October following a full refurbishment, including new fixtures and fittings and an updated bar area.
Outside, the site has gained a new pergola alongside new seating, lighting and signage.
Local operators Carly and Pedro Costa have taken on the pub and will introduce a programme of entertainment including quizzes, darts and pool.
Tricrest Group acquires Worcestershire pub lease
Tricrest Group has acquired the lease of the Mug House Inn in Bewdley, Worcestershire.
The riverside inn has been sold for an undisclosed sum off a £69,995 leasehold asking price following seven years under former operator Hossey Saghri, who is retiring.
Located on the banks of the River Severn, the venue has more than 115 covers across its indoor and outdoor trading areas, alongside four ensuite letting rooms and a manager’s apartment. The site also features a rear patio and outdoor garden bar.
Tricrest Group operates a number of hospitality businesses across the region and plans to retain the pub’s existing character while developing its food and drinks offer. Christie & Co handled the sale.
PERRO founder opens new Birmingham cocktail bar
PERRO founder and chef Matt Wilden has opened a new cocktail bar, Snake Oil, in Kings Heath, Birmingham.
The intimate venue at Kings Court sits alongside Wilden’s Mexican restaurant PERRO and features a cocktail menu developed with Katie Rouse of Stirchley bar Couch.
The eight-strong cocktail list is complemented by classics, Modelo on draught and a secret shot menu, while PERRO will provide a small food offer on Fridays and Saturdays.
The venue combines an industrial-style interior with a late-night music offer, including DJs on selected evenings.
Wilden also plans to develop the remaining space into a small kitchen and restaurant in 2027.
Roebuck Estates opens South Downs cellar door
English sparkling wine producer Roebuck Estates has opened a new cellar door and tasting room at its vineyard in Tillington, West Sussex.
The new space overlooks the estate’s vines in the South Downs and combines a shop with an area for visitors to drink and taste wines on site.
Open seven days a week, the venue offers complimentary tastings of Roebuck’s Classic Collection alongside tutored flights of three vintage sparkling wines and wines by the glass.
The opening follows a period of growth for Roebuck, which reported 80% sales growth in 2025 and opened a seasonal English sparkling wine bar at Brighton’s Royal Pavilion Rooms this summer.
Chief executive Michael Kennedy said the cellar door represented an important step in bringing customers to the heart of the estate.
Admiral and licensee invest £120k in Southsea pub
Admiral Taverns and licensee Kate Thatcher have invested more than £120,000 in the refurbishment of the Apsley House in Southsea.
The pub has reopened following an internal refurbishment and upgrades to its exterior, including new lighting, signage and decoration.
Its kitchen has also been expanded, with a new pizza oven installed as part of a broader food offer featuring traditional pub dishes and Sunday roasts.
Thatcher, who took over the pub last year, has also introduced an expanded drinks range including cask ales, premium draught lagers and ciders.
The Apsley House forms part of Admiral Taverns’ circa 1,350 strong estate.
