Vine Acquisitions purchases The Laine Pub Company

Vine Acquisitions, backed by Patron Capital and May Capital, has acquired The Laine Pub Company, in partnership with the Laine management team.

The pub group began with the opening of the Mash Tun in Brighton in 1996, and has since grown to comprise 54 managed, independent pubs, with 21 in London and 33 in Brighton. It also operates four further pubs through its Mash Inns joint venture with Ei Group.

Laine also operates an experimental Brew Lab at the People’s Park Tavern in Hackney, and additional brewpubs in Clapham Junction (the Four Thieves) and Brighton (the North Laine Brewhouse).

Laine will continue to be run by its existing management team, led by co-founder Gavin George, who also previously led a management buyout of Laine backed by Graphite Enterprise Trust (now ICG Enterprise Trust) and Risk Capital Partners in 2014. This transaction has seen both these investors exit completely.

Vine Acquisitions acquired Punch Taverns in August 2017 and currently owns around 1,300 pubs across the United Kingdom. Punch and Laine will work closely together to explore opportunities for both businesses. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

Gavin George, chief executive of Laine, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Vine Acquisitions Limited, Patron Capital and May Capital on the next stage of Laine’s journey. With their support, we will be continuing to invest in our pubs and our management partners, and we have exciting plans to take our fantastic portfolio of beers to the next level.”

Stephen Green, senior partner of Patron Capital and director of Vine Acquisitions, added: “Laine’s portfolio of pubs in London and Brighton is totally unique. The energy and passion of the Laine team, and all of the management partners, are at the heart of their success, and we look forward to helping support the future growth of this fantastic business. We also believe Laine’s craft beers have tremendous potential.”