Courtesy: Jon Robinson | News Source: insidermedia.com

A £40m deal has been agreed for the acquisition of a country inns and hotels group with sites across the Cotswolds.

Fuller, Smith & Turner has exchanged contracts to acquire Cotswold Inns & Hotels Ltd.

The acquisition comprises a collection of seven freehold country inns and hotels and eight freehold staff cottages in the Cotswolds, together with two leasehold bars in Birmingham city centre. All employees are set to transfer with the acquisition.

An eighth hotel (The Broadway Hotel) does not form part of the deal and is being retained by the current owner.

Cotswold Inns & Hotels was founded in 1997 by Michael and Pamela Horton. In the financial year ended 30 September 2018, the properties being acquired generated revenue of £17.5m and site EBITDA of £3.4m with a gross asset value of £31.5m.

The acquisition is to be funded from existing banking facilities and is expected to complete on 31 October 2019.

Fuller's chief executive Simon Emeny said: "The inns and hotels being acquired are all iconic, character properties in sought-after locations in the Cotswolds.

"They will further enhance our existing portfolio of premium hotel accommodation, adding 201 stylish bedrooms.

"A number of the sites have further development potential and Cotswold Inns & Hotels benefits from an established function business, spanning both leisure and corporate custom as well as weddings.

"We expect to realise further benefits from bringing the properties into Fuller's and for the acquisition to be earnings accretive in the first year.

"Quintessentially English and renowned for a focus on fresh food, premium accommodation and an exceptional level of customer service, this collection of seven iconic country hotels is highly complementary with our existing strategy."

Cotswold Inns & Hotels Ltd is headquartered in Evesham, Worcestershire, while Fuller, Smith & Turner is based in London.