Admiral Taverns has acquired Mountain Pub Company from specialist investment manager Downing, adding ten community pubs across the North of England to its estate.
Led by Helen Standing, Mountain Pub Company operates a portfolio of wet-led, operator-managed pubs including The Southport Coaster in Southport and The White Hart in Todmorden.
Following completion of the acquisition, the ten pubs will become part of Proper Pubs, Admiral Taverns’ community wet-led operator division.
Led by Nathan Wall, Proper Pubs operates 245 pubs across England, Scotland and Wales.
The acquisition forms part of Admiral Taverns’ strategy to expand its nationwide estate, with the group backed by Proprium Capital Partners.
Admiral Taverns said continued capital investment across its estate remains central to its approach, supporting licensees and operators to develop sustainable community pub businesses.
Commenting, Chris Jowsey, Chief Executive of Admiral Taverns 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.”
Mountain Pub Company launched with The Southport Coaster in November 2022 and subsequently expanded to ten pubs over two years.
Its operating-partner model combines local operators with central support and common operating standards, while allowing individual pubs to develop their own community offer.
Commenting, Helen Standing, CEO of Mountain Pubs said: “Mountain Pub Company launched with The Southport Coaster in November 2022, founded on an ambition to create high-quality, well-invested community pubs, growing to 10 pubs over two years. 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. We are pleased that Admiral Tavern’s experienced operator-managed team will continue to invest in and grow Mountain.”