Wren Pubs sells site in London’s Notting Hill to Public House Group backer in ‘benchmark’ deal

Wren Pubs has sold The Walmer Castle in London’s Notting Hill to BNF Hospitality, a backer of Public House Group, with the Jack Greenall-led business stating the “benchmark nature” of the deal represented too strong a return on investment to refuse. The Ledbury Road pub, which dates to 1845, has been acquired by BNF Hospitality, the London-based hospitality arm of BNF Capital, with Public House Group appointed to oversee its day-to-day operations. The existing team, menu and drinks offer will remain unchanged. The sale comes less than three years after Wren acquired the site and follows a significant refurbishment before its reopening in November 2023. Since relaunching, The Walmer Castle has generated more than £4.5m in sales. Greenall said the transaction would allow the business to focus its attention on further opportunities in Chelsea, where Wren operates The Surprise and is preparing to open a flagship venue at 7 Sloane Square. 

James Grimes of AG&G advised throughout the transaction, having previously structured the acquisition of the separate freehold and leasehold interests before later brokering the sale of the unified freehold asset. The disposal follows Wren Pubs’ recent exit of The Carpenter’s Arms in Hammersmith, which was sold to James Blunt and which was also brokered by James.