Exclusive – Wren Pubs acquires freehold of two of its London pubs, sites generating turnover in excess of £10m

Wren Pubs, the independent London hospitality group founded by Jack Greenall, a scion of the Greenall Whitley brewing family, has acquired the freehold of two of its London pubs – The Carpenter’s Arms and the Walmer Castle – which it said marks a “significant milestone in the group’s long-term growth and investment strategy”. The company said that the acquisition reflects the group’s confidence in the London pub market, as well as its commitment to investing in “well-run venues built on exceptional hospitality, community spirit and thoughtful design”.  The company said that The Carpenter’s Arms, on the Hammersmith-Chiswick border, and the Walmer Castle in Notting Hill are well-established pubs with loyal local followings. Since taking on the leases, Wren said it has focused on operational improvements, sensitive refurbishments and strengthening the food and drinks offer, driving strong trading performance across both sites. Alongside its third venue, The Surprise in Chelsea, the group’s three pubs now generate turnover in excess of £10m, with like-for-like revenue up 20% year on year in December. Greenall said: “Buying the freehold of both pubs gives us long-term security and flexibility and allows us to invest with confidence. These are sites we believe in – they’re rooted in their neighbourhoods, trading well and have real potential for the future. Owning the freehold means we can continue to evolve the offer while safeguarding what makes each pub special.” The company said that while it will continue to operate a “carefully curated portfolio”, the move to freehold ownership signals a “clear commitment to the long-term future of its existing pubs and the growth of the group”. The company said: “The move reflects a broader strategy to secure ownership of key sites and invest with confidence. There are no immediate plans for major changes to either pub, with the focus remaining on operational consistency, quality and long-term growth.” 

Both freehold purchases were brokered by James Grimes of AG&G.