Oakman Group acquires Lancashire pubs

The Tring-based Oakman Group has acquired six pubs which had previously been operated by the Seafood Pub Group.

The acquisitions of Alma Inn in Colne, Derby Arms in Longridge, Farmers Arms in Great Eccleston, Fenwick Arms in Claughton, Fleece Inn in Addingham and Forest Inn in Fence, take the group's total portfolio to 40 sites and saves 150 jobs.

The Seafood Pub Company had been placed into administration in June of last year after failing to secure a coronavirus business interruption loan.

Founder Joycelyn Neve has joined Oakman Group to manage the properties. She said: "I have been a huge admirer of the Oakman Group, its ethos and its ambition. They have acquired the cream of the Seafood Pub Company sites and I’m confident that, with the Oakman team’s support, we will prove to be enormously successful.

"My expectation at this stage is that all six pubs will reopen on May 17th and we will immediately start work on putting our new teams together."

Dermot King, group chief executive, said: "I am delighted that we have acquired these sites which will be the foundation stone for the third brand within our group - with the Seafood Pub joining the Oakman Inn and Beech House brands within our portfolio.

"Furthermore, these acquisitions will represent the next stage in our strategic development as we look to extend our boundaries beyond our Home Counties heartland. We believe that there is significant untapped potential, in the premium pub sector, and I am not placing any upper limits on our ambition."