Cotswolds hotel latest purchase in Thwaites expansion plan

The business plan of Blackburn-based brewery Daniel Thwaites to establish a 25-pub chain of character inns by 2016 moved one step closer this week, with the purchase of a successful Cirencester establishment.

The Cotswolds town's The Fleece Hotel, was bought by the company's Shire Hotels brand after they determined it to be exactly what they were looking for to become one of their Thwaites Inns of Character.

Shire's managing director, Anthony Spencer, said that the premises was in a prime location to draw extremely healthy tourist trade, as well as roaring regular punters.

“The Fleece has everything we look for in a site for one of our Thwaites Inns of Character, including a long tradition of welcoming visitors to the area,” he said. “Cirencester is a great commercial location and, as the Capital of the Cotswolds, its appeal to the leisure market is proven. We will commence a major re-development of The Fleece in the coming weeks and it will join the Thwaites Inns of Character collection in late summer.”

The sale of the property - which features 28 en-suite bedrooms, two 40 and 50 cover restaurants plus a bar and courtyard - was managed by property agents Christie & Co. They are continuing with a search for further Inns of Character locations.