Punch Pubs opens three pubs per week

The first to welcome customers was The Straw Bear pub in the Peterborough suburb of Whittlesey.

Having been at the helm of The Straw Bear for several years, current managers Kim Howard and Jemma Burgess will remain in charge of the traditional pub, which dates back to the mid-20th century.

Andrew Cannons, director of real estate development and acquisitions at Punch, said: “We are delighted to welcome Kim, Jemma and the rest of the team as we expand our portfolio with The Straw Bear.

“The pub has an excellent reputation in the Whittlesey community and I am confident that with our industry-leading investment and support it will continue to thrive for many years to come.”

Excellent operators

The next venue to open was The Gray Horses Inn in Carlton-in-Lindrick, Worksop, run by father and son duo Ken and Jack Jarvis, who said they “want to develop” the pub further.

Punch operations manager David Hill praised departing licensees Chris and Sally and described the new publican owners as “excellent operators” keen to deliver a “legacy” to their predecessors.

“I have no doubt that (Ken and Jack) will work brilliantly with the team to ensure the Gray Horses community thrives,” Hill added.

The community-focused pub benefits from two separate retail areas, a log bar and a cozy fireplace.

It also has a multi-purpose room with its own bar and dance floor, as well as a fenced-in beer garden with picnic benches.

Cannons said: “We are delighted to welcome experienced cinematographers Ken and Jack to Gray Horses and look forward to working with them and the team as they embark on their new venture.

“This is an excellent pub that is a perfect fit for our rental and leasehold property and I am sure that with Punch’s industry-leading investment and support, The Gray Horses will continue to thrive for many years to come.”

Development plans

The culmination of a busy week of new openings at Punch was The Salmon Leap in Totton, Southampton, which opened with publican Shane Light, son of one of Hampshire’s longest-serving property owners, Eric Light, at the helm.

Punch operations manager Jay Pearce said: “It’s great to see the evolution of this fantastic pub and I’m thrilled that Eric has passed on his valuable hospitality qualities to Shane, who I know will continue to run a great pub business.”

First opening in 1962, Salmon Leap has become a local hotspot for events, food and drink.

Cannons described The Salmon Leap as “the definition of a local pub” which has gained an “excellent reputation” in Totton.

He continued: “I am confident that under the leadership of Shane and his partner Sanna, the pub will continue to thrive with the support of industry-leading investment and the support of Punch for many years to come.”

Last month Punch added 14 pubs to its portfolio by acquiring the Milton 1 and 2 portfolio from investment firm Aprirose.

The Staffordshire-based pubco, which has around 1,300 locations, said it was “continuously seeking higher quality acquisitions”, including single-site packages and opportunities that fit well with its “modern and progressive vision and growth plans”. .