Press Releases
New owners for the White Lion freehouse in Bridgnorth
The White Lion, a character 17th Century coaching inn in centre of historic Bridgnorth, Shropshire, has been sold to enthusiastic new owners whose plans for the business include adding a stand-alone café and even a small micro-brewery, reports the Birmingham office of independent mortgage brokers, Christie Finance.
This is a first time pub purchase for Christie Finance’s clients, Robert and Samantha Hayes from Tamworth, who are bringing in an experienced publican, Mick Hill, to manage the pub while they concentrate on developing the exciting new aspects of the business. Robert comes from a design background while Samantha is a marketing executive with experience of hotel and catering management. Mick has over 10 years’ experience in the licensed trade.
The White Lion is located in West Castle Street, at the lower end of the High Street in the ‘High Town’, which has fantastic views over the Severn Valley. Bridgnorth, a historic market town on the River Severn, is established as one of Shropshire’s leading tourist centres. Two of its main attractions, Bridgnorth Castle and the Castle Hill Cliff Railway, are located in the High Town near White Lion.
The property briefly comprises a bar, restaurant, beer garden, five letting rooms and four-bedroom letting accommodation. The inn’s clientele is currently split 50/50 between tourism and local trade. It is well established as a traditional inn with quality ales, good pub food and accommodation.
Mark Moody, mortgage broker of Christie Finance, comments: “We were delighted to assist Mr and Mrs Hayes with the acquisition of their first freehouse. They have purchased the White Lion on a free-of-tie basis over 15 years. Their plans include refurbishing the 400-year-old property, altering the layout of the bar and opening up the fireplace. They will continue with the popular carvey but will also increase the food offering and source local, high quality, seasonal produce. The letting rooms will be improved and the dining room converted to a vibrant café with eclectic ‘shabby chic’ décor and great value food. The garden will be re-landscaped with café-style seating, canopies, heating and lighting. The micro-brewery will be housed in an outbuilding and developed over six to eight months, improving the range of beers at the White Lion and possibly also supplying other pubs in the area.
This sale is further evidence that funding can be made available to entrepreneurs acquiring their first public house, even when buying a leasehold business. We wish Robert, Samantha and Mick every success with their new business venture.”
The leasehold interest in the White Lion was sold for an undisclosed figure.
For further information please contact Mark Moody in the Birmingham office of Christie Finance on Tel: 0121 456 1222.
Our Ref: CFBir588
