Charles Wells and Little Gems Country Dining, run by Steve Wilkins and Rachel Slater, are to form a joint venture to run a combination of the Little Gems and Charles Wells’ Apostrophe Pubs. The deal will see Charles Wells taking a stake in Little Gems.
Little Gems runs the Park in Bedford, the Swan Inn in Milton Keynes Village, the Swan Inn in Denham, and the Old Queen’s Head in Penn.
Charles Wells’ Apostrophe Pub estate comprises the d’Parys Hotel in Bedford, the Merlin’s Cave in Chalfont St Giles, Cox’s Yard in Stratford upon Avon, and the Bull in Olney, which will be opening in early 2018.
Justin Phillimore (pictured), chief executive of Charles Wells, said: “I am really looking forward to working with Steve and Rachel. They bring with them enormous experience of growing and expanding successful food-led businesses and I believe now is a great time for us to team up as I see the next couple of years will give rise to many good investment opportunities.”
Steve Wilkins, managing director of Little Gems Country Dining, added: “Whilst it will be business as usual for our Little Gems, this is a really exciting opportunity for all of us. This partnership will not only open up new avenues for growth, but also for the sharing of best practice, the pooling of skills, and will help ensure the future success across the board, both for Little Gems and Apostrophe Pubs.”
