Public House Group expands eight-site London pub estate with Walmer Castle
BNF Hospitality, the London-based hospitality arm of BNF Capital, has acquired the Ledbury Road pub and appointed Public House Group to oversee its operation. The deal takes Public House Group’s pub estate to eight sites and follows the opening of a venue in Clerkenwell. Its current portfolio includes the Pelican in Notting Hill, the Hero in Maida Vale, the Fat Badger on Golborne Road, the Hart in Marylebone and the Bull in Charlbury, Oxfordshire, with the Bull recognized as Best Pub for Food at the 2025 Great British Pub Awards. Dating back to 1845, the Walmer Castle will continue to operate with its existing team, menu and drinks offer following the acquisition. The pub was acquired by Wren Pubs in March 2023 and reopened later that year after a full refurbishment, with Wren noting sales of more than £4.5m since reopening. The disposal reflects a wider strategy to increase its focus on Chelsea, where it operates the Surprise and is preparing to open a new flagship site at 7 Sloane Square. Wren Pubs founder Jack Greenall described the sale as a strong return on investment and said Public House Group is among the best in London to take on the pub, with the group now looking to expand its operations in the capital. BNF Hospitality said the Walmer Castle has established itself as a neighbourhood pub for food and drink and would continue to welcome existing regulars and local customers. Wren has recently sold the Carpenter’s Arms, which has been taken on by James Blunt, marking another change within its estate. Source: The Morning Advertiser
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