Tom Cobleigh buys 51 Whitbread outlets
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.WHITBREAD has begun to unload the final 1,000 pubs it was obliged to free-of-tie to meet last November's deadline for complying with the Government's controversial Beer Orders.
The pubs were leased to individuals and small companies, with Whitbread retaining the right to sell them when it wanted to.
A parcel of 51 outlets has been sold to Tom Cobleigh, a fledgling pub company based in Sutton-in- Ashfield, Nottinghamshire.
Tom Cobleigh was formed two years ago by Derek Mapp, managing director and former director at Mansfield Brewery.
The company's first pub was acquired in Worksop, Nottinghamshire and was followed by acquisitions in the East Midlands, Yorkshire and Humberside.
The pubs being bought from Whitbread are in Sheffield, Barnsley, Rotherham, Chesterfeld and Worksop.
Neither Tom Cobleigh nor Whtbread would dislcose the value of the deal. It is understood, however, that the pubs were sold at book value.
Bill Shannon, managing director of Whitbread Pub Partnerships, said: 'Through this deal we are delivering the innovative strategy we introduced as a result of the Beer Orders being enforced.
'We put together a package to offset selling pubs in a depressed market.
'This was achieved by making about 1,000 pubs available for short term lease on the understanding that they would be sold.'
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments