The Heartwood Collection has bought two former Whitbread pubs as part of its ongoing expansion drive.
The group has bought the George and Dragon in Marlow and the Red Lion in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Both sites are close to Premier Inn hotels and were sold as part of Whitbread’s strategy to downsize its pub and restaurant division.
Under the ownership of Heartwood, the pubs will receive a multi-million pound refurbishment. The George and Dragon will reopen as Heartwood’s seventh pub in 2025.
Heartwood was formed from the Brasserie Bar Co business in 2023 and now has 25 Heartwood Inns and 14 Brasserie Blanc restaurants across the UK.
The new acquisitions will be added to seven other locations that are slated to open in the next 12 months.
Heartwood aims to expand to more than 60 locations by 2027 and was backed by a £100m funding round last year.
As the Red Lion is a listed building near the Royal Shakespeare Company, Heartwood is planning a “sympathetic” refurbishment, creating 175 indoor rooftop and 200 outdoor seats in the bar and dining areas.
Richard Ferrier, chief executive of the Heartwood Collection, said: “We are currently enjoying real momentum in our acquisitions program and have a busy 12 months ahead.”
