Admiral Taverns Acquires Mountain Pub Company

Admiral Taverns, the UK’s leading community pub company is pleased to announce the acquisition of community pub operator Mountain Pub Company from specialist investment manager, Downing.

Led by Helen Standing, Mountain Pubs operates a portfolio of 10 high quality, wet-led, operator manged community pubs, which sit at the heart of several local communities across the North of England. Pubs include The Southport Coaster (Southport) and The White Hart (Todmorden).

Upon completion of the acquisition, the Mountain Pubs portfolio will sit as part of Admiral Taverns’ Proper Pubs business, led by Nathan Wall. Proper Pubs is the award-winning community wet-led operator division of Admiral Taverns, which operates 245 pubs across England, Scotland and Wales.

The acquisition marks the latest step forward in Admiral Taverns’ strategy to expand its nationwide footprint and cement its position as the UK’s leading community pub group. Backed by investors Proprium Capital Partners, the Group has a strong track record of profitable growth, with continuous and significant Capital Investment across its estate underpinning its focus on supporting entrepreneurial licensees and operators to run sustainable pub businesses.

Commenting, Chris Jowsey, Chief Executive of Admiral Taverns said: “On behalf of the entire team at Admiral Taverns I am delighted to welcome the Mountain Pub Company to Admiral Taverns. We have long admired the Mountain Pubs business and share the same unwavering passion for supporting community pubs across the country.

The Mountain Pub portfolio will sit as part of our Proper Pubs business, strengthening our footprint of affordable community pubs across the UK, offering everything from a great range of beers, welcoming atmosphere, sport and entertainment, the critical DNA that makes for a great local pub experience.”

Commenting, Helen Standing, CEO of Mountain Pubs said: “Mountain Pub Company launched with The Southport Coaster in November 2022, founded on an ambition to create high-quality, well-invested community pubs, growing to 10 pubs over two years. Mountain’s operating-partner model combines local entrepreneurship with clear operating standards, commercial discipline and central support, allowing each pub to develop its own identity and community offer.

It has been a pleasure to work alongside Downing throughout Mountain’s growth journey. Their support and background of investment in the sector has been instrumental in helping us build a strong and successful pub business. We are pleased that Admiral Tavern’s experienced operator-managed team will continue to invest in and grow Mountain.”