Huge pub chain with 200 sites snaps up 17 boozers from rival – is your local affected?

A HUGE pub chain with 200 sites has snapped up 17 boozers from its rival.

Red Oak Taverns has bought up the sites from St Austell Brewery including locations in Cornwall, Devon and Somerset.

Red Oak Taverns owns 212 pubs which are primarily leased and tenanted in locations across the midlands, south, north west and south west of England.

The independent business has made several acquisitions already this year from companies including Everards, McMullen’s and Marston’s.

Today's purchase which is set to be completed on October 31 will further extend Red Oak's presence in the south west of England.

Full list of 17 pubs bought by Red Taverns

• Bettle & Chisel, Delebole
• White Horse, Launceston
• Radjel Inn, Pendeen
• Wellington, St Just
• New Inn, Park Bottom
• Dolphin, Exeter
• Western, St Austell
• Four Lords, Par
• Kings, Lostwithiel
• White Hart, Modbury
• Old Smithy, Ivybridge
• Dolphin, Grampound
• Cat & Fiddle, Exeter
• Holly Tree, Exmouth
• Racehorse, Taunton
• Windmill Inn, Williton
• Rolle Quay Inn, Barnstaple

A spokesperson for Red Oak Taverns said that as the pubs are tenanted pubs there will be "very little change for customers" beyond the St Austell branding being removed.

They added that if the tenants choose there may be some product changes behind the bar.

Mark Grunnel, chief executive of Red Oak Taverns said: "We are delighted that St Austell Brewery, a fellow independent business with a rich history of running great pubs, chose to work with us in selling these assets.

"We’re looking forward to working in partnership with all 17 of our new licensees in this exciting new chapter, providing ongoing support to help their businesses thrive."

Cornwall-based St Austell Brewery was established in 1851 and remains an independent family business.

It has a portfolio of 184 pubs, inns and hotels across the West Country.

Just last month the company announced the acquisition of The Bath Pub Company.

Kevin George, chief executive, of St Austell Brewery said: "As a business, which is committed to supporting its tenanted partners and investing in its pubs, we are confident that Red Oak is the best possible custodian for these pubs and will ensure their ongoing success."

Earlier this month a favourite family restaurant chain was bought out in a £701million takeover.

Meanwhile, just this week huge furniture chain ScS was bought by an Italian furniture company in a £100million deal.