Public House Group takes on the Walmer Castle in Notting Hill, its eighth pub

Public House Group has added The Walmer Castle in Notting Hill to its estate, Restaurant Online reports. The pub was bought by BNF Hospitality, the London hospitality arm of BNF Capital, and will now be run by Public House Group.

The Walmer Castle dates from 1845 and sits on Ledbury Road. It will carry on trading with its existing team, menu and drinks offer. The deal takes the group to eight pubs and follows the opening of The Horses in Clerkenwell last month. The portfolio also includes The Pelican, also in Notting Hill, The Hart on Chiltern Street and The Bull in Charlbury, Oxfordshire.

What it means for operators: this is the investor-plus-operator model at work. A capital partner buys the freehold or lease and a proven food-led pub team runs it. Keeping the existing team and offer at first cuts down the risk of a takeover and protects regular trade while the new owners learn the site. For groups with a strong pub format but limited capital, it is a route to growth that does not need their own balance sheet.