URBAN PUBS & BARS STEPS UP LONDON EXPANSION WITH FIVE VENUE ACQUISITIONS
Urban Pubs & Bars has strengthened its position in the capital’s hospitality market with the acquisition of five premium venues across London, as well-capitalised independent operators continue to expand despite pressure on the wider sector.
The deals, which are due to complete on 19 January, mark another stage in the group’s targeted growth strategy. The acquisitions include The Prince Regent in Herne Hill and four established venues acquired from Brunning & Price: The Roebuck and The Steam Packet in Chiswick, The Queens in Crouch End and Coco Momo in Kensington.
The expansion comes at a time when many hospitality businesses are grappling with rising costs, labour shortages and shifting consumer habits. Urban Pubs & Bars, however, has continued to outperform the broader UK hospitality market, driven by strong trading across its estate and a focus on premium, neighbourhood-led venues.
The latest deals follow a period of sustained activity for the group, which has completed multiple openings and acquisitions during 2025, including the recent purchase of Albion & East. With the addition of the five new sites, Urban now operates 65 venues across London, generating annual sales in excess of £100 million.
Industry analysts say the group’s expansion highlights a growing divide within the sector, with larger, well-funded independents using their scale to secure high-quality sites while weaker operators retrench.
Chris Hill, Managing Director of Urban Pubs & Bars, said trading conditions in the capital remained supportive for well-run businesses.
“Well-run, well-positioned businesses are thriving in the capital. We’re seeing robust demand across our estate and strong like-for-like growth, which gives us the confidence to keep investing. These latest acquisitions are exactly the kind of sites we look for, and we’re excited about the opportunities they present as we continue to grow our London estate.”
Founded by Malc Heap and Nick Pring and backed by Davidson Kempner and Global Mutual, Urban Pubs & Bars has built its portfolio by acquiring established pubs and bars with strong local followings. The business focuses on long-term investment, refurbishing sites and positioning them as premium destinations rooted in their neighbourhoods.
As consolidation continues across the UK hospitality market, Urban’s latest acquisitions underline how scale, access to capital and disciplined site selection are increasingly shaping which operators are able to grow — and which are being left behind.
