Upham Pub Company secures funding for growth

Hampshire based Upham Pub Company has secured £6m funding from Natwest to support its ambitious growth plans.

Co-founder David Butcher previously told BigHospitality's sister M&C Allegra Foodservice he wants to grow the company, which recently secured its 13 site, to a 40-strong estate over the next few years.

Financial director Robb Harris said: “For NatWest to be supporting us like this is quite an endorsement for our model and strategy.

“We are a comparatively small business with big ambitions and this funding will enable us to keep momentum, buying more pubs, creating more jobs and generating more sales for the brewery. In turn, we hope to generate more funds for us to continue to invest. It becomes self-fulfilling.”

Upham operates pubs in Hampshire, Berkshire, Sussex, Dorset and Wiltshire, and employs around 400 staff. It's latest acquisitions include The White Hart in Overton and restaurant with rooms The Mill at Gordleton. 

Other projects in the pipeline include the addition of accommodation and covers at The Running Horse in Littleton, outside Winchester and the company is also seeking planning permission for luxury log cabins at The Thomas Lord in West Meon.

NatWest relationship director Chris Priest said: “The business has already managed to raise a lot of capital and has built a good solid base for us to support the next phase of their growth.”