Hush Heath Estate partners with Ei to open pubs with rooms business

Ei Managed Investments is to launch a new venture in partnership with Richard Balfour-Lynn's Hush Heath Estate.

The first site as part of the partnership will be the Shipp Inn in Rye, East Sussex. It will form part of Ei's managed house operations which include Rupert Clevely's Hippo Inns and Peter Borg-Neal's Hunky Dory Pubs.

Hush Heath already runs four other pubs alongside its winery in Staplehurst, Kent: St Bart's Brewery in London's Smithfield Market, the Bull and Hide in Liverpool Street, London, and the Tickled Trout and Goudhurst Inn, both in Kent.

The new business will be run by commercial director Ed Gardner, who was previously managing director of Corney & Barrow Bars.

Gardner said: "We are absolutely delighted to be working with Ei Managed Investments and taking on the Ship Inn, Rye. Ei Managed Investments, together with our leading premium English wine and cider estate is launching a broader ‘Pubs with Rooms' business, which is a first in UK hospitality. We look forward to welcoming our guests who will be able to enjoy the finest local food and drink in a beautiful Sussex pub."

Nathan Wall, operations director for Ei Managed Investments, added: "Hush Heath Inns is an exciting venture for us in being a ‘Pubs with Rooms' business and another venture outside of London. Hush Heath Estate is a unique hospitality proposition with its focus around the winery and we look forward to working with the team."

Since its launched in May 2015 Ei's managed investments division has grown to 32 pubs. In the year to 30 September 2017 it contributed £13m to Ei Group's EBITDA, up from £4m in 2016.

Ei Group sees EBITDA drop to £287m despite like-for-likes up in leased and tenanted >>

The Caterer interview: Simon Townsend, chief executive, Ei Group >>
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