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Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Posh commuter belt pub chain falls into administration and shuts six sites
Pub and hotel chain Oakman Inns has fallen into administration and six sites have been closed. The Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire–based chain, which largely operates in Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and the Midlands, struggled to recover from enforced closures and restricted trading during the Covid pandemic. The firm's closure has also been put down to rising energy and food costs, as well as a reduction in customer spending. The upmarket Oakman Inns chain was founded by Peter Borg–Neal in 2007. The chain's development arm, Oakman Dev has also entered administration. As a result of the insolvency, six sites have been closed permanently, with 159 staff losing their jobs in the process. However, 13 of the chain's leasehold locations and one freehold property were sold to Uphams Inns, with 531 jobs set to be transferred along with the sites to the new owner. Kevin Todd, executive chairman of Upham Inns, said: 'We have been long term admirers of the Oakman Inns pub estate and the quality of their team and their offer… 'We look forward to welcoming the new team into our family and working together to create an exciting premium pub group, now with 30 fabulous locations.' PwC, appointed as its administrators, said no acceptable offers were received for the sale of the whole business, despite 'an open and comprehensive marketing process,' and it was deemed that a part sale was the best way to maximise returns for creditors. In May, Wagamama owner The Restaurant Group, was in talks to buy a chunk of the Oakman Inns' portfolio of some 30 sites. Ross Connock, joint administrator at PwC, said: 'It's regrettable that six trading sites were not included in the sale, resulting in 159 redundancies. Our team of employee specialists are providing support to those affected during this challenging time. 'The hospitality sector continues to face significant and persistent challenges, including a reduction in customer numbers, which has been driven by changing consumer habits and broader economic pressures.' 'In addition, operators are contending with rising operating costs, such as increased energy prices, higher food and beverage costs, and wage inflation.' Brewdog announced earlier this week that it would close 10 locations, including its flagship bar in Aberdeen, putting around 100 jobs at risk. The bars will close on 26 July. The six Oakman sites that have closed are: • Grand Junction Arms, Tring, Hertfordshire • Beech House, Watford, Hertfordshire • Journeyman, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire • King's Head, Chipping Ongar, Essex • Navigation Inn, Lapworth, Warwickshire • The George Inn, Ludlow, Shropshire Meanwhile, Upham Inns will take over these 14 locations: • The Penny Farthing, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire • The Beech House, St Albans, Hertfordshire • The Betsey Wynne, Swanbourne, Buckinghamshire • The Three Locks, Stoke Hammond, Buckinghamshire • The Red Lion, Water End, Hertfordshire • The Beech House, Solihull, West Midlands • The Beech House, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire • The Beech House, Amersham, Buckinghamshire • The Lost Boy, Farnham, Hampshire • The Kings Arms, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire • The Woburn, Woburn, Bedfordshire • The Old Post Office, Wallingford, Oxfordshire • The Four Alls, Welford on Avon, Warwickshire • The Navigation Inn, Cosgrove, Northamptonshire
Metro
23-07-2025
- Business
- Metro
Major pub chain collapses into administration and closes six sites for good
A hotel and pub chain which started trading nearly 20 years ago has fallen into administration. Oakman Inns is based in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire and operated several pubs across Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and the Midlands. But a fall in customer numbers and rising costs has forced the business to close six of its pubs and sell off 14 more. The sale to Upham Group Limited, a pub and brewery company based in the South Downs, managed to save 531 jobs as all employees were transferred to the new owners as part of the sale. However, the closure of six sites has led to 159 job losses. The administration process is being managed by PwC, and joint administrator Ross Connock said: 'We are pleased to have entered into a contract for the sale of the majority of Oakman Inns & Restaurants Ltd to Upham Group Limited. 'This encompasses the sale of one freehold property and the transfer of 13 leasehold sites, allowing the continued operation of these pubs enabling them to continue to serve their communities. 'It's regrettable that six trading sites were not included in the sale, resulting in 159 redundancies. Our team of employee specialists are providing support to those affected during this challenging time. 'The hospitality sector continues to face significant and persistent challenges, including a reduction in customer numbers, which has been driven by changing consumer habits and broader economic pressures. 'In addition, operators are contending with rising operating costs, such as increased energy prices, higher food and beverage costs, and wage inflation.' Oakman Inns was founded in 2007 by entrepreneur Peter Borg-Neal. These six pubs have been shut down after Oakman Inns went into administration: Beech House, Watford, Hertfordshire Grand Junction Arms, Tring, Hertfordshire King's Head, Chipping Ongar, Essex Navigation Inn, Lapworth, Warwickshire Journeyman, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire The George Inn, Ludlow, Shropshire These pubs have now been taken over by Upham Group: The Three Locks, Stoke Hammond, Buckinghamshire The Beech House, Amersham, Buckinghamshire The Beech House, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire The Beech House, Solihull, West Midlands The Beech House, St Albans, Hertfordshire The Betsey Wynne, Swanbourne, Buckinghamshire The Four Alls, Welford on Avon, Warwickshire The Kings Arms, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire The Lost Boy, Farnham, Hampshire The Navigation Inn, Cosgrove, Northamptonshire The Old Post Office, Wallingford, Oxfordshire The Penny Farthing, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire The Red Lion, Water End, Hertfordshire The Woburn, Woburn, Bedfordshire PwC says the pub chain was affected by 'the long-term impact of the Covid-19 pandemic', with long periods of closure and restricted trading rules forcing the company to borrow more money. More Trending It was also impacted by 'including elevated interest rates, cost inflation across key inputs such as food and energy, and a temporary decline in consumer confidence affecting discretionary spending'. Kevin Todd, executive chairman of Upham Inns which bought 14 of the Oakman Inns pubs, said: 'We have been long term admirers of the Oakman Inns pub estate and the quality of their team and their offer. 'We look forward to welcoming the new team into our family and working together to create an exciting premium pub group, now with 30 fabulous locations. 'Upham Inns are currently in southern locations, and this deal extends our coverage into the midlands and south east.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Full list of 25 Poundland stores confirmed to close in August MORE: Driver, 85, and woman in 70s killed in four-car crash with another man critical MORE: How a generation-bending TikTok campaign saved a local boozer
The Sun
23-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Pub chain collapses into administration as SIX sites shut their doors for good and 159 job losses
A PUB chain has collapsed into administration with six sites shutting their doors for good. Oakman Inns & Restaurants was first founded in 2007 by entrepreneur Peter Borg-Neal. 1 It mainly operated across Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and the Midlands. Up to six sites have closed, while a further 13 are transferring ownership to Upham Inns, the operator of a small collection of premium pubs with rooms. According to the BBC, the following sites have ceased trading: Beech House, Watford, Hertfordshire Grand Junction Arms, Tring, Hertfordshire King's Head, Chipping Ongar, Essex Navigation Inn, Lapworth, Warwickshire Journeyman, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire The George Inn, Ludlow, Shropshire Meanwhile the following sites have been taken over: The Three Locks, Stoke Hammond, Buckinghamshire The Beech House, Amersham, Buckinghamshire The Beech House, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire The Beech House, Solihull, West Midlands The Beech House, St Albans, Hertfordshire The Betsey Wynne, Swanbourne, Buckinghamshire The Four Alls, Welford on Avon, Warwickshire The Kings Arms, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire The Lost Boy, Farnham, Hampshire The Navigation Inn, Cosgrove, Northamptonshire The Old Post Office, Wallingford, Oxfordshire The Penny Farthing, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire The Red Lion, Water End, Hertfordshire Ross Connock, joint administrator at PwC, blamed "significant" challenges in the UK hospitality sector for the chains troubles. He said: "The hospitality sector continues to face significant and persistent challenges, including a reduction in customer numbers, which has been driven by changing consumer habits and broader economic pressures. "In addition, operators are contending with rising operating costs, such as increased energy prices, higher food and beverage costs, and wage inflation.'
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pubs close suddenly after parent company folds
The Navigation Inn, Lapworth, Warwickshire, announced its closure on Facebook on Monday [Google] Two West Midlands pubs have shut suddenly after their parent company went into administration on Monday. The George in Ludlow, Shropshire, and the Navigation Inn in Lapworth, Warwickshire, made the announcements on Facebook. Oakman Inns, based in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, operated across Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and the Midlands. PwC, its administrators, confirmed "six operational sites" had closed with the loss of 159 jobs. The George and the Navigation Inn posted identical statements to their websites and social media pages. "Following the appointment of the Joint Administrators on Monday 21st July 2025 this site has ceased to trade and is now closed," it read. ADVERTISEMENT "Ross Connock, Mark James Tobias Banfield and Tom Crookham have been appointed as joint administrators of Oakman Inns and Restaurants Limited and Oakman Dev Limited to manage their affairs, business and property as their agents and without personal liability." The statements directed the public to the PwC website. The administrators said challenging conditions, such as the Covid pandemic which led to closures and "restricted trading", meant the company had to take out "additional borrowings to stabilise the business and preserve its operational footprint". PwC added it had sold one "freehold property and 13 leasehold sites to Upham Group Limited", which had secured 531 jobs. This included The Beech House, Solihull, and The Four Alls, Welford-on-Avon, Warwickshire. Council 'saddened' by closure Lapworth Parish Council said it was "saddened" about the closure of the Navigation Inn. ADVERTISEMENT "For centuries it has been a lively part of village life as a popular venue with its large canal side pub garden and restaurant," it said. "We appreciate that many pubs are struggling with increased costs at the same time as customers have reduced spending power but it is to be hoped that a new owner can be found to revitalise it as soon as possible." In a post on social media, a member of staff from The George said: "A big thank you to all of Ludlow. To everyone who supported us and made us smile. It's unfortunate that we've had to close, but we're truly grateful to each and every one of you. Thank you." Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. More on this story Related internet links
BBC News
22-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Shropshire and Warwickshire pubs close after parent company folds
Two West Midlands pubs have shut suddenly after their parent company went into administration on George in Ludlow, Shropshire, and the Navigation Inn in Lapworth, Warwickshire, made the announcements on Inns based in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, operated across Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and the its administrators, confirmed "six operational sites" had closed with the loss of 159 jobs. The George and the Navigation Inn posted identical statements to their websites and social media pages."Following the appointment of the Joint Administrators on Monday 21st July 2025 this site has ceased to trade and is now closed," it read. "Ross Connock, Mark James Tobias Banfield and Tom Crookham have been appointed as joint administrators of Oakman Inns and Restaurants Limited and Oakman Dev Limited to manage their affairs, business and property as their agents and without personal liability."The statements directed the public to the PwC a post on social media, a member of staff from The George said: "A big thank you to all of Ludlow! To everyone who supported us and made us smile. It's unfortunate that we've had to close, but we're truly grateful to each and every one of you. Thank you!"The administrators said challenging conditions, such as the Covid pandemic which led to closures and "restricted trading", meant the company had to take out "additional borrowings to stabilise the business and preserve its operational footprint".The firm added it had sold one "freehold property and 13 leasehold sites to Upham Group Limited", which had secured 531 included The Beech House, Solihull, and The Four Alls, Welford-on-Avon, Warwickshire. Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
