Punch Pubs adds three new pubs to portfolio

Punch Pubs and Co has added The Bull in Bedford, the Grey Horses Inn in Carlton-in-Lindrick and The Salmon Leap in Totton to its portfolio.

The Bull, which is close to Bedford’s town centre, will sit within Punch’s leased and tenanted estate with publicans Dean and Sarah Harris at the helm, who have successfully run it for the last five years.

The pub sits within a low-rise residential area, close to Bedford’s town centre and is complemented by an outdoor trading area with an L-shaped bar server.

Speaking about the acquisition, Punch Pubs and Co head of estate development and acquisitions, Andrew Cannons said: “We are pleased to welcome the Bull into the Punch family and look forward to working collaboratively with Dean, Sarah and their team. With the help of our industry-leading investment and support, we will ensure that The Bull remains at the heart of the community in Bedford for many years to come.”

Punch Pubs operations manager Lee Greenwood added: “Dean and Sarah have built a great rapport within the community and truly have a passion for pubs and people. I am delighted that they want to continue with their journey at The Bull, and I’m looking forward to working alongside them to ensure that this community pub continues to thrive.”

The Grey Horses Inn is situated on The Cross, just off the High Road and will be run by father and son duo Ken and Jack Jarvis. As multiple operators, they are experienced in the hospitality industry and willing to further embed the Grey Horses into the community thanks to the success of its former publicans Chris and Sally.

The community-focused pub benefits from two separate trading areas, a timber bar servery and a fireplace. It also features a function room, with its own bar and dancefloor area in addition to an enclosed beer garden with picnic bench seating.

Cannons said: “This is an excellent pub that perfectly aligns with our leased and tenanted estate, and I’m sure that with Punch’s industry-leading investment and support, the Grey Horses will continue to flourish for many years to come.”

Meanwhile the Salmon Leap, which first opened its doors in 1962, has since gone on to become a local hot spot for events, food and drink as well as being a meeting place for guests and locals. The established pub will be taken on by publican Shane Light, who has been working with his father and former publican Eric for many years.

Punch Pubs operations manager Jay Pearce added: “It’s wonderful to see the evolution of this fantastic pub, and I am thrilled that Eric has passed down his valuable hospitality traits to Shane, whom I know will continue to run an epic pub business. It is also great to hear that Shane and Sanna will retain The Salmon Leap’s existing team, and I’m excited to be working alongside them to continue building a successful future here.”