The restaurant group founded by veteran entrepreneur Hugh Osmond is making a bold strategic pivot into the premium pubs market, betting that a blend of fine dining, accommodation, and local charm can defy the severe headwinds battering Britain’s hospitality sector.
London-listed Various Eateries, the company behind the Coppa Club and Noci brands, has agreed to acquire four upmarket pubs with rooms from Grosvenor Pubs and Inns for £11.5 million. The deal, expected to complete later this month, will see the venues form the cornerstone of a new operating brand called The Linwood Collection.
Evolution into a Multi-Brand Platform
In a move signalling its broader ambitions, the parent company announced it will also rebrand itself as Coppa Collective. The group stated this new name reflects its “evolution” into a multi-format hospitality platform, consolidating around its core brands while expanding through selective acquisitions.
The four properties—Wild Thyme & Honey in the Cotswolds, The Hare & Hounds in Berkshire, The Stag on the River in Surrey, and The Wellington Arms in Hampshire—collectively generated over £10 million in revenue last year. The acquisition is supported by a new £15 million debt facility from HSBC UK Bank PLC.
Chief executive Mark Loughborough framed the move as a targeted play for resilience. “Premium pubs with rooms combine food and drink with accommodation and a broader, destination-led appeal,” he said. “Done well, that mix can deliver resilience and attractive economics, and we believe these sites have the quality to do exactly that.”
The Linwood Collection: Heritage with a Modern Polish
The strategy for the new Linwood Collection is not to impose a uniform brand but to preserve the unique character and local reputation of each venue. The acquired sites represent a specific type of premium British hospitality.
Wild Thyme & Honey, a centuries-old inn in Ampney Crucis near Cirencester, is described as an “agrarian dream” with haute-rustic rooms and dining domes. The 17th-century Hare & Hounds in Speen, near Newbury, is a modernised coaching inn with boutique bedrooms. In Surrey, The Stag on the River is a 17th-century riverside inn in Lower Eashing, while The Wellington Arms in Hampshire is a family-friendly pub, restaurant, and hotel on the Duke of Wellington’s estate in Stratfield Turgis, boasting 25 luxurious bedrooms and serving as a wedding venue.
The transaction also features an option for a fifth location, The Queen’s Head in Weybridge, Surrey, a Grade II listed pub dating to the 1700s. Its acquisition, however, is subject to an “asset of community value” process which could delay finalisation. Furthermore, the inclusion of the leasehold Wellington Arms is conditional upon landlord consent.
A Bet on Premiumisation Amid Sector Turmoil
The expansion comes at a critical time for UK hospitality. The sector is contending with soaring operational costs—from employment expenses and energy to food prices—coupled with persistent labour shortages and reduced business rates relief. Industry insolvencies are reportedly at their highest level since the 2008 financial crisis.
Yet, market analysis points to a growing “premiumisation” trend and a profound structural shift. Demand remains strong for high-quality, destination pubs with rooms, while the market overall is consolidating around larger, branded operators with investment capital. Various Eateries is positioning the Linwood Collection directly within this niche, where community focus and a sense of place are key assets.
The move follows a period of improved performance for the group. For the 52 weeks to September 28, 2025, Various Eateries reported record revenue of £52.4 million, a 6% increase, and a return to like-for-like sales growth. Adjusted EBITDA rose to £1.4 million from £0.3 million the prior year. The group entered its current financial year with £8.0 million in cash.
Despite this progress, the company acknowledges ongoing challenges, having previously reported persistent net losses and high leverage. Its net profit margin remains negative, below the industry average, underscoring the strategic importance of this new, potentially more resilient revenue stream.
The Osmond Factor: Experience from PizzaExpress to Pubs
The deal carries the hallmark of the group’s founder and supporter, Hugh Osmond, a figure with deep experience in navigating the hospitality sector’s cycles. Osmond co-led the flotation and expansion of PizzaExpress in the 1990s and was the founder and former chairman of Punch Taverns, one of the UK’s largest pub chains before its £403m private equity buyout in 2016.
His more recent ventures include launching Coppa Club in 2015 and investing in several hotels. Osmond has previously voiced shock at the “devastation” on the high street, highlighting the number of businesses that failed to reopen after pandemic lockdowns. This acquisition appears to be a calculated countermove, betting on quality and scale in a fragmented market.
If successful, the creation of the Linwood Collection under the Coppa Collective umbrella will mark a significant transformation for Various Eateries, taking it from a restaurant operator to a diversified group aiming to capture the enduring appeal of Britain’s premium country inn.
