Hugh Osmond-Backed Restaurant Group Expands with £11.5 Million Pub Acquisition
London-listed restaurant group Various Eateries, which counts British businessman Hugh Osmond among its backers, has completed a significant expansion move by acquiring four premium pubs for £11.5 million. The strategic purchase from Grosvenor Pubs and Inns marks the launch of an entirely new brand called the Linwood Collection.
Strategic Expansion into Premium Pub Market
The acquisition includes four established pub locations across Southern England: Wild Thyme & Honey in the Cotswolds, The Hare & Hounds in Berkshire, The Stag on the River in Surrey, and The Wellington Arms in Hampshire. These properties collectively generated more than £10 million in revenue during the previous year, demonstrating their established market presence and financial performance.
Various Eateries has identified premium pubs with accommodation as particularly resilient business models within the hospitality sector, which has faced significant challenges from rising business rates and increasing employment costs in recent months. The company believes this combination of food, drink, and destination accommodation offers attractive economics when executed properly.
Corporate Rebranding and Future Plans
Concurrent with this acquisition, Various Eateries announced it will change its corporate name to Coppa Collective, reflecting what the company describes as its ongoing evolution within the hospitality industry. The group currently operates 20 sites across various formats, including restaurants, club houses, and hotels.
Chief Executive Mark Loughborough emphasized the strategic thinking behind the move: "Premium pubs with rooms combine food and drink with accommodation and a broader, destination-led appeal. Done well, that mix can deliver resilience and attractive economics, and we believe these sites have the quality to do exactly that."
Background and Additional Acquisition Option
The transaction, expected to be finalized later this month, includes an option for a fifth potential acquisition—The Queen's Head in Surrey. This provides the newly formed Coppa Collective with additional expansion flexibility as it establishes its Linwood Collection brand.
Various Eateries was originally established by Hugh Osmond, former head of Pizza Express, and currently operates two successful restaurant brands: Mediterranean-focused Coppa Club and Italian restaurant concept Noci. Osmond brings extensive hospitality experience to the venture, having previously founded Punch Taverns, a pub and bar operator that remained listed on the FTSE small cap index until its £403 million private equity sale in 2016.
This acquisition represents a significant strategic shift for the company as it diversifies its portfolio beyond traditional restaurant formats into the premium pub sector with accommodation components. The move comes at a time when many hospitality businesses are reassessing their models in response to changing market conditions and consumer preferences.
