The Dorset brewer and pub company Hall & Woodhouse has acquired The Royal Lion Hotel in Lyme Regis as part of its continued expansion plans.
Located on Broad Street, the 33-bedroom hotel dates back to the 17th century and includes a large restaurant, wood-paneled bar, swimming pool, and sauna. Shut for a short period of upgrading work, it will reopen in early March.
Mark James, property director at Hall & Woodhouse, said: “We are delighted to purchase the highly successful Royal Lion Hotel and carry on the good work of the former owner, Lesley Stone, who operated the hotel for more than 19 years. At Hall and Woodhouse, we continually look to evolve as a business by proactively managing our estate and investing in pubs of the future. We are always seeking out further opportunities to grow through high-quality acquisitions that complement and enhance our existing estate’s offering.”
Andrew Theobold, of independent hotel consultants IHCA, who brokered the off-market sale, said: “I am delighted that Hall & Woodhouse has been successful in purchasing The Royal Lion Hotel, the largest in Lyme Regis and a perfect fit for the brand.
“Hall & Woodhouse successfully fended off stiff competition from other buyers, which is testimony to their commitment towards this important acquisition. This purchase also further demonstrates how the sector is driving its way to recovery, evidenced by the sheer volume of active buyers in the current climate.”
Hall & Woodhouse operates some 170 pubs across the south of England. The Royal Lion Hotel will be the company’s first pub in Lime Regis. It joins The Frog in Mindenhurst and further sites in Dorset, Devon, and Surrey that are part of the company’s expansion plans.
