Ei Managed Investments supports PubLove expansion

PubLove, the London-based pub company that houses backpacker hostels and serves its own burgers in its venues, is entering a period of expansion as it opens the refurbished White Ferry House, Victoria, following a £500,000 investment. The pub is the latest fully refurbished site to open since PubLove became the seventh partner of Ei Managed Investments, the Ei Group business which invests alongside managed house operators. The transformation of the listed building includes modernisation throughout, the addition of new beds, taking the total to 75, plus improved bathrooms, bedroom finishes and the introduction of a new pizza offer – the first across the estate. Next month, The Rose and Crown near London Bridge will become PubLove’s first new site since the joint partnership began, opening in mid-May after an investment of £450,000. The fully modernised venue will feature 45 beds, two ensuite double rooms and a new theatre kitchen, enhancing the retail proposition, along with the group’s burger menu. In addition to these projects, the Steam Engine in Waterloo is also undergoing a £750,000 refurbishment, doubling the number of beds through adding a new storey to the building, and substantial improvements to the bar area. The pub will become PubLove’s biggest site with 80 beds and is set to reopen in June. With the support of Ei Managed Investments, PubLove has ambitious expansion plans in the coming years with a number of new sites currently in the pipeline. Ben Stackhouse, founder and CEO of PubLove, said: “Our partnership with Ei Managed Investments continues to go from strength to strength and there are some very exciting times ahead. These three major projects have been made possible through their continued support and, in tandem with access to a strong pipeline of new sites, together we are transforming the PubLove business and innovating our customer proposition.” Nathan Wall, operations director for Ei Managed Investments, added: “PubLove continues to be a progressive business with its focus on establishing and then improving highly regarded community pubs allied to a winning retail offer. We enjoy a successful working relationship with Ben and his team and look forward to ongoing shared success in the future.” Ei Group plc’s Ei Managed Investments division allows the company to partner with managed house operators in order to benefit from “retailing flair and expertise”. There are currently 11 Managed Investments partners including Rupert Clevely, with Hippo Inns and Karen Jones, with Frontier Pubs.