Four pubs sold in a fortnight, defying national trends

Peter Brunt from Colliers International exchanged contracts on the Gaggle of Geese in Dorset, the Bell Inn at Stow-on-the-Wold, the Lampet Arms at Tadmarton and the Chequers at Churchill.

Brunt said that, contrary to various industry indicators, pubs in the West were actually finding a very ready market.

“Although it’s clear the industry nationally is struggling to compete with changing drinking habits, people are prepared to take a closer look at individual premises in the hope of picking up the best buys while they are still available,” said Brunt.

“We have been saying all year that the right pub in the right place at the right price will still sell and it seems would-be landlords are making their moves now - while there are still some bargains to be had.”

Cash purchasers​

The Gaggle of Geese, the Bell Inn and the Lampet Arms were available at asking prices up to £350,000.

“Pubs at this sort of price are readily saleable because they appeal to cash purchasers,” added Brunt. “Pub prices are now little different to where they were at the same stage in the last recession meaning that they offer exceptional value for money and obvious potential for capital growth in the future.”

Colliers International’s frantic fortnight coincides with particularly grim forecasts from national insolvency experts R3, which claims that more than a third of pubs and bars in the South West risk going out of business over the next 12 months due to changing drinking habits and cheap supermarket alcohol.

Escape to the Country​

One of the four pubs - The Gaggle of Geese in Dorset (pictured) - was sold after an eleventh hour surge of interest generated by a slot on BBC's Escape to the Country TV programme hosted by Jonnie Irwin.

Escape to the Country presenter Irwin used to work as a surveyor with Colliers International before embarking on his TV career.

Brunt added: “There was plenty of interest in the Gaggle anyway and I think Jonnie showing the couple around the place really concentrated people’s attention on just what a fantastic opportunity it represented.

“I’m not sure whether the viewers were carried away by my old colleague Jonnie or the property itself, but it’s great to see one of my own favourite country pubs given the attention it deserves.

”We  took dozens of calls from potential buyers and there were several serious offers alongside the merely curious.”

New owner Jinny Lambert will take over the reins from departing owners Mark and Emily Hammick, who have run the Gaggle, in Buckland Newton midway between Dorchester and Sherbornevc, for the past three years.