Angel tops The Inn Collection Group’s acquisition list in time for Christmas

Destination venue The Angel Inn at Bowness on Windermere has been bought by The Inn Collection Group sealing a year of record growth for the award-winning northern pubco.

The classic 13-bedroom inn, which has expansive grounds and views overlooking the fells and England’s largest lake Windermere, is located in one of Cumbria’s most visited villages.

The Northumberland-based group has also completed on a 12-room bed and breakfast property alongside The Angel Inn. Both sites will continue to trade before a substantial refurbishment is carried out on both sites, which will reopen as the reflagged The Angel Inn.

The undisclosed deals, which were completed today (Wednesday 16 December), bring The Inn Collection Group’s estate of freehold sites to 19 and its number of locations in the Lake District to six.

Managing director Sean Donkin said: “The Angel Inn is a unique asset in an absolutely outstanding location. We are excited to be adding it to our portfolio, broadening our customer base and enhancing our award-winning offering in Cumbria further with this stunning addition to our collection.

“The completion on both of these sites is the result of great working relationships with fantastic vendors and marks months – if not years – of searching for landmark sites in superb locations like this, as we continue to grow as a company despite the ongoing challenges of the pandemic.

“We will continue to welcome customers at the inn until planned renovations begin and look forward to re-opening as we respond to increased demand for staycation visitations and a predicted rise in domestic travel due to the combined effect of Covid and Brexit.”

Former owner of The Angel Inn Liam Salisbury said: “I would like to say what a great pleasure it has been dealing with The Inn Collection Group. After creating and running The Angel Inn over the last 15 years I feel that it could not be in better hands going forward.

“I say farewell to all the loyal guests that we have welcomed over the years and can assure them that they will still receive a very warm welcome upon their next visit.”

The investment and reopening of The Angel Inn with increased trading opportunities is expected to create up to 10 new jobs with The Inn Collection Group, who are the current holders of the Publican Awards’ Best Pub Employer (up to 500 employees) title, an award they have held for two consecutive years.

The Angel Inn acquisition is the Alchemy-backed group’s eighth, heavyweight purchase of the year as it continues to expand with strategic ‘buy and build’ growth plans, supported with banking via OakNorth.

November saw the group add a trio of inns to its collection including Northallerton’s former Police Station in North Yorkshire which will be repurposed as a 32-bedroom pub with rooms. The operator bought prime Whitby site The Stables at Crossbutts and made its Lancashire debut with The Lindum Hotel in Lytham St Annes.

The Inn Collection Group’s Cumbrian roster includes two sites in Ambleside: The Ambleside Inn and The Churchill Inn; The Coniston Inn at Coniston; The Swan at Grasmere and The Pheasant at Bassenthwaite.

Elsewhere it lists venues in Northumberland, County Durham and Lancashire while a 40-bedroom, new-build site on Sunderland’s seafront at Seaburn is currently under construction.

Its Eat, Drink, Sleep and Explore pubs-with-rooms brand includes all day, every day food service and affordable accommodation.

The Inn Collection Group were advised by Newcastle-based law firm Wardhadaway and Bradley Hall on pre-acquisition diligence.