Leaseholder merry-go-round keeps popular pubs open
Specialist business property adviser Christie & Co has concluded a series of deals leaving a chain of happy south west operators in its wake.
Patrick Mahony, the leaseholder of the Nags Head Tavern in Thornfalcon has also taken on the lease of the Winchester Arms in Trull, in a deal brokered by Stephen Champion of Christie & Co’s Exeter office.
Nestling at the bottom of the Blackdown Hills just 1.5 miles from the centre of the county town of Taunton, The Winchester Arms is a traditional family run village pub situated in the quaint village of Trull, and features a bar, open plan restaurant, five letting bedrooms, skittle alley and owners’ accommodation.
In a second deal, the leaseholders of the Winchester Arms, Gavin and Heather Duddridge and Gavin’s sister Sara Carless have taken on a new lease on the White Horse Inn in Bradford-on-Tone.
The White House, which dates back to 1691, is an impressive two-storey building with two bars, a restaurant and beer garden, along with owners’ accommodation above the pub.
Stephen Champion, who kept tabs on all of the deals on behalf of Christie & Co comments, “The Winchester Arms was taken on by our clients Gavin and Sarah eight years ago and they built the trade up to create a very popular and successful pub. They decided to move as they could see the untapped potential in the White Horse Inn and wanted to replicate the success they had with the Winchester Arms.
“With the Winchester Arms now being available, we were able to broker a deal for the leasehold interest with Patrick Mahony, enabling him to settle in a pub that was perfect for his plans whilst continuing to run the Nags Head Tavern.
“Over the course of this leasehold merry-go-round, we’ve been able to keep two popular pubs open, and give two sets of operators the opportunity to move to their perfect premises. We’re delighted that all of the operators are happy in their new pubs, and wish them all the very best in their new endeavours.”
