Heartwood Collection to open sixth pub with rooms

Heartwood Collection has acquired the 16-bedroom Manor Inn in Godalming from Whitbread as the group continues to expand into the pubs with rooms market.

The Manor Inn will be rebranded into the Ragged Robin as part of a multi-million pound refurbishment that will lead to the addition of three rooms, 150 internal covers and 100 external covers.

The original site dates back to the 18^th century when it was a tannery before becoming a private residence and later a hotel in the 1930s.

It comes after Heartwood Collection acquired the Old Crown in Great Bookham in Surrey, following the launch of the group’s first pub with rooms, the White Horse in Dorking, in February.

Other pub with rooms in the pipeline include the White Hart in Lewes (September 2024), the Coat & Bear in Newbury (October 2024) and the Royal Forest in Epping Forest (November 2024).

The Ragged Robin is set to launch in 2025 with the addition of 90 jobs as the group commits to developing over 60 sites with a turnover of £133m by 2027.

Heartwood Collection, formerly Brasserie Bar Co, was acquired by Alchemy Partners in 2022 and secured £100m funding from banking partner OakNorth Bank in July last year.

Richard Ferrier, chief executive of Heartwood Collection, said: “Having looked for an opportunity to open in Godalming for a long time, we are delighted to have found such a beautiful location on the River Wey. We plan to transform both the pub and the rooms with the aim of creating something very special.”

The group currently operates 23 Heartwood Inns pubs and 14 Brasserie Blanc restaurants across the UK.