The Lifeboat Inn and The Checkers Inn in the North Norfolk coastal village of Thornham have become the latest acquisitions for Chestnut, East Anglia’s fastest growing restaurant business. The acquisition boosts Chestnut’s foothold in the area by adding 28 bedrooms – with the potential to add more. According to data from Visit North Norfolk, a 27 per cent increase in overnight stays by 2023 highlighted the growing demands for accommodation from tourists in the region. The group recently hired Rob Spillings as director of Norfolk operations to help with the growing business. The Maltings, Chestnut’s biggest development to date – a 28-bedroom hotel in Weybourne (near Blakeney) with a barn-style restaurant and bar overlooking the sea, is due to open in summer 2024. Founder and CEO Philip Turner said of the new additions, “We acquired our first property in Norfolk a week before closing, which was not ideal the start of the journey. During Covid we acquired five properties to take advantage of the growth in tourism in the area and a more permanent ‘work from home’ lifestyle. Building community around our properties is a huge priority for us, which we usually do through our charity The Giving Tree, as well as ‘loyal local’ cards and winter coffee and cake mornings. We take our role as a significant regional employer (over 200 people) seriously and want to develop strong relationships with those who advertise North Norfolk as a preferred destination. I have known both of these pubs for many years and am privileged that Chestnut has the opportunity to be a part of their future. In 2018, Chestnut acquired the Suffolk coastal properties – The Ship at Dunwich and The Westleton Crown from Agellus (the seller). Following this sale, it was a seamless transition for the team and guests – with significant investment in both pubs. “Agellus and Chestnut have proven experience in business in recent years. As a board, we agree that this will enable the development of the team and the business of Norfolk itself. The Harrods family and team have been privileged to be part of two iconic institutions for the past nine years and we thank the entire team for their dedication. Agellus said of the sale. As 2018 has shown, Chestnut welcomes new team members from both pubs and looks forward to working with them to take the businesses to the next stage. All room reservations and table reservations remain unchanged
