Chickpea to open seventh pub with rooms in Somerset

The Wiltshire-based Chickpea Group is heading West to Somerset, with the opening of the Manor House in June 2024.

The 18th century pub, situated in the village of Ditcheat near Bruton, will feature seven rooms upstairs.

Plans are to have around 50 covers inside the main pub, with guests offered classic ‘pub bangers’ from a menu overseen by executive chef, Harry Russell. There will be a further 40 covers served by a separate kitchen offering sourdough pizzas.

The wine list will be provided by Gardner and Beedle, and there will be beers served from Chickpea’s new brewery in Wiltshire, Rude Giant Brew Co, among others.

The pub group is owned and run by siblings Jordan and Ethan Davids (who won an Acorn Award in 2022), as well as their friend, Tommy Tullis.

“We are so excited to head west and get stuck into the Somerset food and drink scene,” said co-founder, Davids.

“The Manor House is a truly beautiful pub with cosy nooks and plenty of outside space. It offers everything we look for in a Chickpea country boozer,” he said. “The pub has always been incredibly well-supported by the local area, so we hope people are as excited about our plans as we are. We’re buzzing to meet our new locals at the bar – the first one’s on us!”

The Manor House takes the group’s portfolio in the Southwest to seven pubs with rooms, as well as an eighth pub in Salisbury. Chickpea also oversees the Nole pizza brand with two sites in Salisbury and Wilton.

Richard Wood, regional director of pubs and restaurants at Christie & Co, who brokered the deal, added: “I am absolutely thrilled to announce the successful sale of the Manor House Inn, following its closure in November 2023. Given their reputation and expertise, I have no doubt that the new owners, Chickpea Group will maximise the potential of this historic pub and transform it into a thriving establishment once again.”