Mark Sargeant buys three Kent pubs
Pickled Egg Pub Company, the firm run by chef and restaurateur Mark Sargeant and his business partner Josh De Haan, has bought three Kent pubs to add to its portfolio.
Pickled Egg Pub Company has taken over the Five Bells at Brabourne, the Radnor Arms in Folkestone, and the Woolpack Inn at Warehorne.
All three were previously owned by pub group Ramblinns, which retains the Globe Inn Marsh in Rye, East Sussex.
Sargeant said: "Josh and I have been massive fans of John and Alison's Ramblinns and when the opportunity arose to buy three of the four we jumped at the chance. We can't wait to continue their great work at these fantastic pubs and we aim to only enhance their excellent reputations."
"All three pubs will continue to trade as normal and we are excited by the opportunity to serve their communities. We intend to make some small changes in the new year, particularly to the menus, but for now it's business as usual."
Ramblinns owner John Rogers, who will continue to operate the Globe Inn Marsh in Rye, added: "I think that now, for many reasons, is the right time to pass on the baton to a new and proven operator and ‘free thinker' who has a vision for the future and to continue to grow all that we have achieved."
The three latest acquisitions add to Sargeant and De Haan's growing collection of pubs and restaurants, which includes Rocksalt and the Smokehouse in Folkestone, the Duke William at Ickham, and the Wife of Bath in Wye.
Rocksalt was Sargeant's first solo venture, having worked for Gordon Ramsay in London in a number of roles including as head chef of Gordon Ramsay at Claridge's. Sargeant was in charge of the restaurant when it won Michelin star in 2002. Rocksalt launched in 2011 and earlier this year plans were submitted to expand the venue with an outside seating terrace on an adjacent former railway viaduct.
Josh De Haan is the son of Roger De Haan, who ran the Folkestone-based Saga group alongside his brother Peter until he sold it in 2004 to a management buyout for £1.35bn.
