Butcombe Group completes refinancing ahead of growth plans

Butcombe Group has successfully completed refinancing, giving the pub operator and brewer better terms to pave the way for future investment in both its current estate and future acquisitions.

The refinancing of its debt facilities are provided by Barclays Bank, Lloyds Bank and NatWest, and comprise both term debt and a sizeable revolving credit facility.

Last year, the UK pub group, formerly named Liberation Group, announced plans to grow its pubs with rooms business, including converting 20 sites into the Butcombe Boutique Inns model.

This is alongside the upgrading of a number of sites, the latest being the Brown Cow in West London’s Fulham Road, which will see the venue’s capacity nearly double.

Trading for the year to 31 January 2026 saw like-for-like sales growth by 8% across its managed pub division, driven by a 10% increase in drink sales, as well as a 6.5% increase in food and 5.3% increase in accommodation.

Simon Hope, CFO of Butcombe Group, said: “We are extremely pleased to complete this refinancing on attractive terms. It provides the flexibility to pursue our growth plans, enabling us to continue to invest in transformational projects within our existing estate, whilst also giving us the ability to actively assess and pursue acquisition opportunities.”

Jonathan Lawson, CEO of Butcombe Group, added: “I am delighted with the outcome of our debt refinancing, which is a strong endorsement of our strategy over the last five years. We have built one of the highest quality businesses in the sector, and this puts us in a very strong position to capitalise on both organic investment opportunities and selective acquisitions that can deliver strong returns.”

Butcombe currently operates 118 pubs and inns and employs 1,800 people.

The business also owns the Butcombe Brewing Co in Bristol as well as a bottling plant in Somerset.

Butcombe Group won the Pub and Bar Award at the 2024 Cateys under its previous branding.