Chestnut Group acquires the Old Bridge in Cambridgeshire

East Anglia-based hospitality company Chestnut Group has acquired the Old Bridge in Huntingdon for an undisclosed sum.

The Cambridgeshire inn has been owned and run by John and Julia Hoskins since 1994 and offers 24 boutique bedrooms.

As part of the deal, Chestnut will take on John’s retail wine shop, Old Bridge Wines, which coincides with the group’s plans to accelerate its “retail offering across the region”.

Philip Turner, founder and managing director of Chestnut, said: “It’s a real honour to be buying the Old Bridge, a place with a strong reputation that has set standards for hospitality over the last five decades.

“Alignment of approach is perfectly illustrated by the fact John won the Best Pub and Bar Catey Award 2004, and we were fortunate to win the same award in July 2023. I hope this helps us qualify as the next custodian of this successful business.”

He added: “As always, over time we will bring in new investment, ideas and energy to grow the business in line with our Chestnut ambitions, in the meantime the obvious passion and expertise of the Old Bridge team will ensure a seamless transition.”

John said: “Meeting Philip and his team has reassured me that they are the right people to whom we should pass on this much-loved institution, which we have been privileged to run for so long. The future looks very bright for both our team and our guests!”

Over the last decade, Chestnut Group has grown to 16 properties with 224 bedrooms. Its portfolio includes the Packhorse Inn in Moulton near Newmarket; the Rupert Brooke in Grantchester; and the Westleton Crown in Westleton.

The sale was handled by Knight Frank.