Pub specialist Sidney Phillips, in conjunction with colleagues at AW Gore, have announced the sale of the Horse & Groom in St. Leonards-on-Sea, with concerned regulars at St Leonards-on-Sea’s oldest pub breathing a sigh of relief over their pints.
Affectionately known as the “Doom and Gloom” due to its no-nonsense, no-thrills, traditional offering, the Horse & Groom is one of the areas best-known and most-loved institutions, revered by locals. Following the passing of long-standing Landlord and local legend David Sansbury in February 2022, a question mark over the future of this favourite watering hole.
The good news for lovers of the traditional drinkers’ pub is that the property has been sold for continued use. Alan Pink, of new owners The Horse and Groom (Mercatoria) LLP, has been a regular of the pub for some forty years and wants to preserve the essential character of the pub as it is.
At the handover ceremony attended by some sixty regulars, Mr Pink commented “I agree with Dr Johnson when he said ‘there is nothing which has yet been contrived by man, by which so much happiness is produced as by a good tavern or inn.’ The Horse and Groom is a great pub, and I mean, if I can, to keep it like that.”
The freehold interest of the Horse & Groom was sold off an asking price of £1,300,000.
For more information on buying or selling your public house, bar, restaurant, hotel or other hospitality property, call Sidney Phillips on 01892 725900 or email southeast@sidneyphillips.co.uk.
(October 2023)