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11th September 2023

Heartwood Collection acquires first pub with rooms site “The White Horse”, Dorking, Surrey, set to open in 2024

Heartwood Collection, the leading UK hospitality Group backed by Alchemy Partners, has completed on The White Horse, Dorking, a 56-bedroom Grade II listed inn which will open in early 2024.

Nestled in the heart of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, The White Horse will mark the Group’s first pub with rooms site as part of its ambition to become the market-leading operator of freehold premium pubs and pubs with rooms in the UK.

Dating back to the 13th Century and regarded as one of England’s oldest coaching inns, The White Horse has a strong literary tradition with Jane Austen and Charles Dickens both referencing the inn in their works.  It is also believed that Dickens wrote The Pickwick Papers whilst in residence.

The multi-million pound investment will see The White Horse undergo a sensitive refurbishment over the coming months that will preserve the historic features of the Grade II listed building whilst also injecting Heartwood Inns’ signature cosy and characterful style.

In addition to a complete refurbishment of the 56 bedrooms, the design scheme, led by award-winning designers Concorde BGW Group, will include a characterful bar. It will have a traditional stone fireplace and retain many original features. This will include a cosy snug area, a charming dining room and a garden room serving the Group’s signature fresh, seasonal menu. The inn will also have a large courtyard terrace with outdoor seating.

This completion follows the recently announced news that Heartwood Collection has secured an additional £100m of funding from its owner Alchemy Partners and its banking partner OakNorth. This funding will support the Group’s continued growth in freehold pubs and freehold pubs-with-rooms.

Richard Ferrier, Managing Director, Heartwood Collection, said:

“We are very excited to announce the acquisition of The White Horse, Dorking as Heartwood Inns’ first pub with rooms.  The pub is steeped in history and will fit beautifully with the rest of our pub estate. This represents a significant step for the Group as we accelerate our ambition to become the market-leading operator of premium freehold pubs and pubs with rooms in the UK”.

Stay up to date with the latest news at www.whitehorsedorking.com

For more information on Heartwood Inns please visit www.heartwoodinns.com

For more information on Heartwood Collection please visit www.heartwoodcollection.com

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Press Contact

For any media enquiries please contact Emma Martin: press@heartwoodcollection.com / 020 3166 2727

Notes to editors

Heartwood Collection (formerly Brasserie Bar Co Ltd) is the Group that operates 20 Heartwood Inns pubs and 14 Brasserie Blanc restaurants across the UK. Heartwood Collection’s current site portfolio is as follows:

Inns

The Barley Mow – Englefield Green, Surrey

The Black Horse – Thame, Oxfordshire

The Black Horse – Reigate, Surrey

The Black Swan – Henley-in-Arden, Warwickshire

The Boot – Histon, Cambridge

The Britannia – Parkstone, Dorset

The British Queen – Locksbottom, Kent

The Cricketers – Cobham, Surrey

The Hare – Harrow Weald, Middlesex

The Highwayman – Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire

The Jobber’s Rest – Upminster, Essex

The Jolly Farmer – Chalfont St Peter, Buckinghamshire

The King’s Arms – Prestbury, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire

The King’s Head – Teddington, Middlesex

The March Hare – Guildford, Surrey

The Oaks – Highcliffe, Christchurch, Dorset

The Queen’s Head – Weybridge, Surrey

The Red Deer – Horsham, West Sussex

The Sun Inn – Chobham, Surrey

The White Bear – Ruislip, Middlesex

Heartwood Inns are also due to open the Plough & Harrow in Long Ditton, Surrey before Christmas 2023.

Brasserie Blanc Restaurants

London – Chancery Lane

London – Fulham Reach

London – Southbank

London – Threadneedle Street

Beaconsfield

Bournemouth

Cheltenham

Chichester

Hale Barns

Leeds

Milton Keynes

Oxford

Portsmouth

Winchester

Heartwood Collection is backed by Alchemy Partners.


For any media enquiries please contact Emma Martin: press@heartwoodcollection.com / 020 3166 2727

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