Charles Wells buys 'exciting' Cambridgeshire pub

August 12, 2008: The Charles Wells Pub Company has added a destination food pub with exciting development potential to its estate, following the acquisition of The Black Horse in Swaffham Bulbeck, Cambridgeshire.

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	l Acquisition: the Black Horse, at Swaffham Bulbeck

The Black Horse has been purchased for an undisclosed sum from a private seller, with negotiations handled by Christies and completed at the end of July. The site is within easy access of Cambridge and Newmarket and successfully combines a familiar meeting place for locals with a great reputation for food, along with seven chalet-style letting rooms.

Announcing the deal, sales and marketing director Peter Wells said: "The Black Horse is a great addition to the Charles Wells stable as it presents the kind of well structured business that we're working on for all of our pubs.

"It successfully combines a number of different trading sectors and we'll be talking to the locals to find out if there are any other areas we can develop to enhance the great pub experience that we're known for.

"With income being driven from food, drink and accommodation sales, this extra consumer research will improve what is already a great opportunity for an enthusiastic retailer."

Charles Wells Pub Company is actively searching for a licensee to operate The Black Horse and work with them to ensure it becomes a 'must visit' pub in the area. With its existing trade and a commitment to quality and service, a planned refurbishment in the autumn is expected to make a significant impact on this ambition.

"This pub will be an exciting business for an experienced food operator who can use their retail skills and passion for the local community to drive the business forward" added Mr Wells. "The refurbishment will give the pub a new lease of life to help create the atmosphere we want to generate and we look forward to meeting licensees who share our excitement in the next few weeks."

The Black Horse brings the number of pubs in the Charles Wells Pub Company estate to 243. The company is continuing its acquisitions drive and remains committed to investment in property, marketing and training to provide the support retailers need to develop their business.