Mon 27th Jun 2016 - Mitchells of Lancaster sells 11 sites to new hospitality company Provincial Hotels and Inns Mitchells of Lancaster sells 11 sites to new hospitality company Provincial Hotels and Inns: Brewer Mitchells of Lancaster has sold 11 sites to a new hospitality company Provincial Hotels and Inns, which has been launched by hospitality management specialists Onecall Hospitality. The venues – nine pubs and two hotels that are all in Lancashire – have been bought by Burton-in-Kendal-based Provincial Hotels and Inns as the first step in its plans to build a nationwide chain. They include the County Hotel in Carnforth, the Clarendon Hotel in Morecambe and the Windmill Tavern at Salwick. Provincial has been launched by Onecall Hospitality with backing from a small group of experienced London-based private investors. The company is planning a series of further acquisitions over the next 18 months. Mark Chambers, of Onecall Hospitality, who is a director at Provincial, told the Cumbria Crack: “Provincial will be a unique brand with a range of distinctive hotels and inns. Our aim is to take iconic but underperforming venues and breathe new life into them. Through a programme of refurbishment and restyling, and using our expertise in hospitality management, we will place them once again at the heart of their communities.” Provincial will offer two types of inns – the Taps brand will be “proper pubs” serving craft beers and a selection of bar snacks and nibbles, while the family venues will offer quality, value for money dining with exclusive table wines, coffee lounge and play areas. Meanwhile the hotels will be geared to local demand. Chambers, whose company Onecall manages pubs and hotels throughout the country, said: “The hotels will be community venues and cater to market demand, rather than following a set formula. For example, the Clarendon at Morecambe will be inspired by the seaside holidays of yesteryear with a very traditional tea room, while the County in Carnforth will offer family dining but also provide a venue for events and functions – exactly what it was renowned for ten years ago.” The portfolio comprises a mix of managed and tenanted properties. Kaushik Mistry, who owns the Slate Bar in Kendal and joins as operations director of Provincial, added: “In addition to the investment in the properties, we will be providing tenants with marketing assistance and full support to grow their business.” The disposal by Mitchells is part of its strategy to focus on brewing and to grow its pub estate outside of Lancashire. The company will retain the remaining 38 properties within its portfolio. Alasdair Rudge, of CBRE, acted as property adviser for the sale.