Pub operator Brakspear is expanding its Honeycomb Houses managed division with the acquisition of two complementary sites in the Cotswolds. The Kings Head in Cirencester is a large town centre hotel, restaurant and functions venue, while The Redesdale Arms in Moreton-in-Marsh is a quintessentially Cotswolds pub with rooms. The purchases bolster Honeycomb Houses’ presence in the region and take the total estate up to 12 sites.
Originally a 14th century coaching inn, The Kings Head is an imposing, three-storey building in the town’s Market Square and is listed as a site of special architectural and historical interest. Original features including oak beams and open fireplaces have been retained throughout, blended with contemporary design.
The Kings Head comprises 66 bedrooms, a restaurant and several events spaces. It has an established, sizeable weddings and events business, offering ceremonies for up to 150 guests in its Assembly Room, or for 80 people on its roof terrace. The building also provides other spaces for celebrations and functions of all sizes, including charming, paneled rooms and two beautiful vaulted cellars.
The Redesdale Arms is a Grade II listed building on Moreton-in-Marsh High Street. The traditional Cotswold stone building dates back to 1661 and retains many period features including wood panelling and floors and open fireplaces.
Guests are offered food and drink in the cosy bar area with its log fires, the bright, contemporary restaurant or garden terrace. Accommodation is provided in 35 en-suite rooms in the main building and converted stable blocks, all equipped to the highest standards, which have earned the site AA 3-star hotel accreditation.
Brakspear chief executive Tom Davies said: “The Kings Head is a multi-faceted business that strengthens our offer in the Cotswolds, particularly for weddings and functions. With 66 bedrooms, it also becomes our biggest site with accommodation.
“We have built a successful weddings and events business at The Frogmill near Cheltenham and with the addition of The Kings Head, alongside our existing site The Egypt Mill near Stroud, Honeycomb Houses now has a strong proposition for guests wanting to wed or celebrate in the Cotswolds.
“The Redesdale Arms is a quintessentially Cotswolds pub with rooms. Adding a pub in Moreton-in-Marsh consolidates our presence in the area, alongside our, successful sites in nearby towns such as Stow-on-the-Wold and Shipston-on-Stour. We already benefit from healthy ‘crossover’ trade between our Cotswolds sites, and this gives us another pub where we can offer our guests the Honeycomb House experience.
“We’re delighted to be adding to the Honeycomb Houses estate with these two business which are very different but both hold enormous potential. We will ensure that both retain their essential character, while at the same time introducing the Honeycomb Houses ethos of relaxed, attentive service in a ‘home from home’ atmosphere.”
He added: “The expansion of Honeycomb Houses is creating more career opportunities and we currently have vacancies for talented hospitality professionals at all levels to join our teams, with industry-leading pay, benefits and training.”
Honeycomb Houses team members receive access to a range of benefits including the Chef’s Academy, Talent Hive, apprenticeships and monthly reward and recognition.
The Kings Head was purchased from administrators and The Redesdale Arms from Redesdale Arms Limited. Both sites will close for a short period to allow the introduction of the Honeycomb Houses summer menu, and for training of the existing pub teams.
