Sale of The Hall

This unique 16th Century property, located on the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park, is a combination of a care home and a public house. Christie + Co acted on behalf of the vendors in the sale of The Hall to existing care home operators, Park Lane Healthcare. Registered for 35, the home comprises 30 en suite bedrooms and the public house enjoys good passing trade as well as having a loyal local following.

Swallowcliffe Care Home

Acting on behalf of the vendors, Christie + Co has successfully sold Swallowcliffe Care Home in Seaton, Devon, to M&J Care Homes, after seeking offers in excess of £1.3 million. A substantial detached property set in over an acre of grounds, the home is situated in an elevated position with uninterrupted views over Lyme Bay. It is registered for 30 in 24 single and three twin bedrooms.

Acquisition of Holyrood Nursery Group

Acting on behalf of the Bertram Nursery Group, Christie + Co recently acquired the Holyrood Nursery Group. Holyrood Nursery Group was originally established in 1994, with the opening of its first nursery in Prestwich. The portfolio now comprises nine nurseries - including one leasehold in Salford - across Greater Manchester, providing full day and sessional care to children aged from birth to 5 years.

Acquisition of BarleyCare Ltd

Christie + Co acted on behalf of CareTech to acquire BarleyCare Ltd - the holding company for Normandy House in Milton Keynes - for an undisclosed sum. The home is a modern, detached, brick-built property, catering for up to six young adults with learning disabilities.

Sale of a portfolio of 30 pubs

Christie + Co recently sold 30 tenanted and leased pubs to Scottish & Newcastle Pub Enterprises (S&NPE) on behalf of Tadcaster Pub Company and Tadcaster Hotels & Inns for an undisclosed sum. The 30-strong package contained a mix of sites spread across South Yorkshire and Humberside, and as far north as Newcastle.

Acquisition of Scoonie House

Acting on behalf of The Caring Homes Group, Christie + Co acquired Scoonie House in Leven, Fife, for an undisclosed sum. The home is registered for 36 elderly service users and specialises in dementia care. The property is a detached Victorian villa, with a substantial, high quality, single-storey extension which was purpose-built in 2000 and scope to extend further, adding an additional 40 bedrooms.

Sale of the Express by Holiday Inn Strathclyde

Acting on behalf of LRG Acquisition Ltd, Christie + Co has sold the long leasehold Express by Holiday Inn Strathclyde Park in Scotland. The purchaser was Geminex Hotels & Leisure - the hotel arm of Festival Healthcare - which will manage the 120-bedroom hotel on a franchise basis.

Sale of the Express by Holiday Inn Stevenage

Acting on behalf of private clients, Christie + Co has sold the Express by Holiday Inn Stevenage to leading budget sector operators, Morethanhotels. This 129-bedroom, purpose-built hotel was sold with the benefit of an existing brand franchise agreement under the Express by Holiday Inn brand.

The Exchange, Chester

Acting on behalf of Opus Land Ltd, Christie + Co has successfully signed an agreement with Travelodge to take the lease on ‘The Exchange’ in the centre of Chester. This former BT Exchange building is in the process of being transformed by Opus Land into a 72,750 sq ft, mixed-use scheme incorporating a hotel, café bar, restaurant, offices and retail units.

Kingsmill Park, Sutton-in-Ashfield

Acting on behalf of Lincoln-based Castle Square Developments (CSD), Christie + Co provided development agency advice for this 9 acre mixed-use scheme fronting the A38 in Sutton in Ashfield, close to Mansfield town centre. Designated “employment land” we advised CSD on appropriate uses, site layout and pricing parameters, with disposals undertaken to M&B for a Toby Carvery restaurant, Sandringham Investments for a 125-bedroom Express by Holiday Inn hotel, Exemplar for a private healthcare operation, and Westleigh Developments for a 2.42 acre office scheme.

Sale of Belmont Care Ltd to BUPA Care Services

Acting on behalf of the vendors, Christie + Co sold the entire share capital of Belmont Care Limited, including the freehold interest in its two nursing homes in Somerset, to BUPA Care Services. Elm View Nursing Home in Clevedon, Somerset, and Norewood Lodge in Portishead, Bristol, are both purpose-built elderly nursing homes with a combined registration of 94.

Sale of two Mitchells & Butlers pubs

Acting on behalf of Mitchells & Butlers, Christie + Co has sold two food-led, freehold public houses near Perth and Preston. The Wheel Inn in Scone is a substantial 200-cover pub restaurant which sold to local operator, Maclay Inns, for in excess of the £900,000 asking price. Located on the busy A6 in Barton, near Preston, The Boars Inn caters for 130 covers and sold to Mitchells of Lancaster off an asking price of £750,000.

Sale of QMP Ltd

Christie + Co acted on behalf of the vendors, Henry and Christine Kordowicz, in the sale of QMP Ltd. The group comprises seven petrol filling stations, incorporating substantial SPAR stores, across North Yorkshire and Cleveland. After a competitive bidding process, attracting interest from a number of corporate operators, the portfolio sold to the Co-operative Group for an undisclosed sum.

Consensus Support Services acquires Corich Community Care Ltd

Acting on the instructions of Consensus Support Services, part of The Caring Homes Group, Christie + Co has acquired Corich Community Care Ltd for an undisclosed sum. The group comprises Courtwick Park, Huntley, Strawberry Fields (incorporating a state of the art purpose-built day centre), Buttercup and Railway Cottage, which are all located in West Sussex and Sunny Brook, a vacant unit in Southampton.

Sale of six care facilities to Quercus Property Partnership

Christie + Co has completed the sale of four limited companies – Parksman Ltd, Ozman Company Ltd, Samsons Atco Ltd and Samsons Green Ltd – and all of their freehold assets, to Quercus Healthcare Property Partnership Ltd. The portfolio includes six purpose-built care homes, comprising 327 registered bedrooms, located across Nottinghamshire, Cheshire and South Yorkshire. Quercus has subsequently identified one of its existing tenants, an experienced care operator, to take the lease on all six of the care facilities.

Sale of Derwentwater Hotel and Derwent Manor

Christie + Co sold the 48-bedroom Derwentwater Hotel and Derwent Manor, located in a Conservation area in the village of Portinscale, in the north of the Lake District. The purchaser was a real estate investment company, which has subsequently leased the property to a well known hotel operator.

Sale of Severn House

Christie + Co recently sold of the entire share capital of John Munroe Hospital (Welshpool) Ltd, trading as Severn House. This 24-bedroom, Independent Hospital is registered with the Health Inspectorate Wales (HIW) for clients detained under the Mental Health Act. This low secure unit has been sold to rapidly expanding mental health operator, Acorn Care Ltd.

Blubeckers acquire two new sites through Christie + Co

Blubeckers, the pub restaurant division of The Restaurant Group, has recently acquired the Refectory public house in Milford near Godalming, Surrey, through Christie + Co. This transaction follows Blubeckers’ acquisition of the Duke of York public house in Barnet, sold to the group by Christie + Co as part of a marketing campaign on behalf Herald Inns & Bars.

Sale of the Averard Hotel, London W2

Acting on behalf of the vendors, Christie + Co has sold the 60-bedroom Averard Hotel in central London to a private international investor, by means of a share sale.

Sale of the Little Chef, Cumbernauld

Christie + Co is pleased to announce the recent sale of the former Little Chef restaurant on the A80 at Cumbernauld. The restaurant, which had been closed since the start of the year after Little Chef was put into administration, attracted high levels of interest due to its prominent trading position. The purchasers, who currently own the Silk Cottage Chinese restaurant in nearby Gartcosh, plan to open their new restaurant, which will also trade as Silk Cottage in mid-November.

Marston’s Plc acquires the Bull at Downton

Acting on behalf of local pub company and brewer, Hopback Brewery, Christie + Co has sold the Bull Hotel at Downton, in the Wiltshire town of Salisbury, to Marston’s Plc for £825,000.

Sale of Rusts

Acting on behalf of Rusts’ shareholders, Christie + Co has successfully negotiated the sale of the company’s entire share capital to Midcounties Co-operative Limited.
Rusts is a well known and established family business with a 30 year trading history. The company currently operates ten convenience stores across the south of England, providing around 200 jobs. The ten convenience stores will continue to operate under the Rusts brand, retaining of all of the current staff.

Portfolio of 8 Thistle Hotels

Menzies Hotels acquired a portfolio of eight Thistle Hotels from Curzon Hotel Properties Ltd for £54 million. The transaction was brokered by Christie + Co. The hotels, which have a combined total of 978 bedrooms and 45 meeting rooms are located in; Birmingham, Luton, Swindon, Stevenage, Irvine and near; Manchester, Gatwick and Aberdeen airports.

Avon Gorge Hotel sells to Swire Properties

Christie + Co has acted in the off market sale of the 76-bedroom Avon Gorge Hotel in Bristol for £15.5m. The deal was brokered between Peel Hotels and Swire Properties, the real estate arm of the Hong-Kong based conglomerate, Swire Group. Overlooking Brunel's famous Suspension Bridge, the hotel is located in Bristol's trendy Clifton Village. Swire is expected to pursue additional planning permission in order to further develop and enhance the hotel and its range of services.

Aprirose acquires nine Revolution vodka bars

Christie + Co has acquired nine freehold Revolution vodka bars on behalf of the specialist property investor Aprirose, in a deal worth in excess of £17 million. The nine Revolution properties are located in: Huddersfield, Lancaster, Leicester, Lincoln, Liverpool, Newcastle-under-Lyme and Wolverhampton, plus two in Manchester.

Gourmet Holdings' sale of The Highwayman pub and restaurant

Acting on behalf of Gourmet Holdings, Christie + Co has sold the freehold interest in The Highwayman pub and restaurant in Checkendon, on the edge of Chiltern Hills. Experienced operator, Ken O’Shea, purchased the freehold as his second business venture in the public house sector.

The Shire Group acquires Smollensky’s

Acting on behalf of The Shire Group, Christie + Co, has acquired Smollensky’s, the central London chain of restaurants, for £6.5 million. Smollensky’s was founded in 1986 and currently operates 9 restaurants in three formats, Bar & Grill, Metro and Burgershack.

The Shire Group, headed up by Paul Lilley, at present operates 9 restaurants under two brands outside of London: Pastiche Bistro and Le Frog Bistro. The group will continue to operate its newly acquired restaurants under the Smollensky’s brand and has already drawn up an acquisition plan to develop the brand further.

Sale of Aden House Limited to New Century Care Limited

Acting on behalf of the vendors, Christie + Co has sold the entire share capital of Aden House Limited to New Century Care Limited. Aden House Limited is a portfolio of quality, purpose built care homes located in Huddersfield, comprising five elderly care homes and one specialist unit catering for younger clients with physical disabilities. It is registered for a total of 231 residents including both nursing and personal care. This deal follows Christie + Co’s sale of Aaroncare to New Century Care at the end of 2006.

The Crown Inn, Sarre

Acting on behalf of Shepherd Neame, Christie + Co has sold the lease on the Grade I Listed, 15th Century Crown Inn in the village of Sarre in Kent.

Sale of St Georges Care Home Limited

Christie + Co acted for the shareholders of St Georges Care Home Limited in the sale of St Georges Care Home in St George, Bristol. The nursing home was purpose built in 1996 to cater for up to 68 elderly service users. Following a targeted and confidential marketing campaign, the entire share capital of the company was sold to the Caring Homes Group.

Check House is sold to a regional operator

Check House in Seaton, East Devon, is one of the finest care homes in the south west. Registered for 49 elderly service users, the home has been extensively developed, winning an award for its extension in 2005. Christie + Co sold this detached, Grade II Listed property to a regional multiple operator.

Sale of Sutton Veny Nursing Homes Limited to Avon Care Homes Limited

Christie + Co acted on behalf of the owners of Sutton Veny Nursing Home in the sale of entire share capital Sutton Veny Nursing Home Limited to Avon Care Homes Limited. The Grade II listed, stone-built manor house is located within in approximately 16 acres of land, near Warminster in Wiltshire. Registered for 28 residents, the home provides nursing care to the elderly.

Sale of The Swan at Forton to British Country Inns

Acting on behalf of Jean and Rick Skelton, Christie + Co has sold The Swan at Forton, an acclaimed freehouse and dining destination in rural Shropshire, to British Country Inns 3 plc.

Sale of New Inn Hotel to Enterprise Inns

Acting on behalf of Mr and Mrs Keith Mannion, who had owned the property for 19 years, Christie + Co has sold the 18th Century New Inn Hotel in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The deal was agreed to Enterprise Inns off an asking price of £1.5 million.

Rock-Inn Pub Company

The Bedford-based Rock-Inn Pub Company recently acquired three ex-Spirit Group public houses on brand new leases from Punch Taverns, through Christie + Co. The three pubs are the Star Inn in Woodstock; the Fish Inn, Northampton town centre and the Squirrels in the village of Duston, Northamptonshire.

The Bold Pub Company

Acting on behalf of the Bold Pub Company, which is financed with funds managed by Close Ventures Limited, Christie + Co sold the business, and its portfolio of 30 freehold properties, to Calco Midlands Limited.

Gourmet Burger Kitchen

Following its recent acquisition of two new restaurants in York and Edinburgh, the rapidly expanding Gourmet Burger Kitchen (GBK) has acquired the lease on a third site through Christie + Co, in Leeds. The group continues to assess the suitability of further restaurant opportunities in the north of England and Scotland.

Punch Taverns

In just 18 months, Christie + Co has completed the transfer of over 650, former Spirit pubs from Punch Tavern’s managed estate to lease. These new opportunities were of exceptional quality, with strong trading histories. As a result they generated a considerable amount of interest and we were able to seek premiums for the leases.

Town Centre Restaurants

Town Centre Restaurants, which operates the Café Giardino, Auberge and Azzurro brands, recently acquired the lease on a 5,500 square foot restaurant unit in Hastings, through Christie + Co.

Sale of Powell Garages

Acting on behalf of Powell Garages Ltd, Christie + Co sold a group of four petrol filling stations in the Swansea and Port Talbot areas of South Wales. We marketed the portfolio confidentially and, after generating a high level of interest, a competitive bidding process ensued. We received a number of offers before agreeing the sale by way of share transfer, for a figure in excess of the £4,000,000 asking price to a corporate client.

Sale of Community Support Homes to The Regard Partnership Ltd

Christie + Co acted on behalf of David and Helen Morrell in their sale of Community Support Homes to The Regard Partnership Ltd for an undisclosed sum. The group specialises in the provision of care and supported living to clients with mental disorders. Located in and around Kings Lynn in Norfolk, Community Support Homes consists of 46 registered beds in five separate locations with an additional five supported living places.

Sale of Pantiles nightclub site to Sunrise Senior Living

Acting on behalf of Something Else Limited, Christie + Co has agreed the sale of the former Pantiles nightclub site in Bagshot, Surrey, for a figure in excess of £5 million off an asking price of £4 million. This followed an open marketing campaign and competitive bidding resulting in over 20 offers. The purchaser is Sunrise Senior Living, which have now obtained planning permission (subject to a section 106 agreement with the local Council) to develop 78 new assisted living units within the 1.65 acre site.

CareTech Community Services acquires learning disability business in Kings Lynn

Christie + Co acted for the private owners in their retirement sale of an 11-bed learning disability business in Kings Lynn to CareTech Community Services. CareTech is a leading provider of specialist residential care services to adults with learning difficulties. The company offers specialist services and support for people with severe physical disability, challenging behaviours, mental health problems and autism spectrum disorder.

Caring Homes acquires HR Care and Heather Homes

Christie + Co has again acted on behalf of Caring Homes’ specialist learning disability division Consensus by acquiring a group of three residential learning disability services by way of a share transfer of the trading company for an undisclosed sum. The homes are located in and around Kettering, Northamptonshire. This transaction has added to the substantial number of registration spaces already acquired by Christie + Co on behalf of this client, making Consensus one of the largest providers of learning disability services in the UK.

Caring Homes acquires Steps Portfolio

Christie + Co, has recently acted on behalf of Consensus, part of Caring Homes Group, in acquiring a group of 3 supported living units as going concerns in Northamptonshire. Consensus specialises in supporting people with learning disabilities and complex needs and the purchase of this regional group included a day service which has further enhanced the company’s growth strategy.

Sale of Homebeech Ltd to Saffronland

Acting on behalf of the private owners, Christie + Co sold Homebeech Ltd to Saffronland Homes for an undisclosed sum. The company comprises four care businesses located in close proximity to each other in Bognor Regis, offering nursing and residential care for a total of 162 residents. Saffronland Homes has its head office based in Chandlers Ford, but already has homes in Surrey, Hampshire and now Sussex.

Foden Inns

Acting on behalf of Foden Inns, Christie + Co brokered the sale of a package of four public houses in the West Midlands. The Properties were acquired by Newport Pub Company for an undisclosed sum.

Le Méridien, Phoenicia

Acting on behalf of Starman UK Services Company Limited, Christie + Co has agreed the sale of the Le Méridien Phoenicia in Malta’s capital city, Valletta. After attracting a considerable amount of interest from UK, international and local investors, a deal was agreed on this world famous 136-bedroom hotel to Irish hotel operators, Heuston Hospitality.

Draycott Hotel, London

On behalf of clients, Draycott Hotel LLP, Christie + Co were instructed to find an investor on a confidential basis, willing to acquire a 73.33% interest in the owning LLP. Following several offers, the investment was placed to a consortium of investors headed by Mantis Collection.

Sanctuary Care acquires Caton House Nursing Home

Christie + Co acted on behalf of Sanctuary Care in their acquisition of Caton House Nursing Home in Bletchley, Milton Keynes for an undisclosed sum. Established in 1995, Sanctuary Care is now one of the largest not-for-profit providers in the United Kingdom, operating 35 care homes for the elderly and a number of homes for clients with physical or learning disabilities throughout the Southeast. This purpose-built, elderly care home was previously owned and operated by The Crossways Trust, another charitable organisation. It is registered for 68 patients, with dual registration to provide nursing care for up to 35 service users.

The Spa Hotel, Tunbridge Wells

Christie + Co acted on behalf of the renowned Goring family in the sale of the 69-bedroom Spa Hotel in Tunbridge Wells. The charming 18th Century four-star hotel was acquired by Scragg Hotels, following a competitive bidding process, after offers in excess of £10 million were sought. The sale included the Major Yorke, an adjacent licensed property.

Sale of the Red Lion, Henley-on-Thames

The 14th Century Red Lion Hotel in Oxfordshire was sold by Christie + Co on behalf of the Miller family, off an original asking price of £5.5 million. The purchaser was MG Hotels, an expanding hotel operator, which intends to fully refurbish and extend the 26-bedroom hotel.

Horizons Health Club, Derby

Christie + Co are pleased to announce the sale of Horizons Health and Fitness Club in Spondon, Derby, on behalf of Horizons Health and Leisure Ltd.The freehold club was sold off an asking price of £1.35m to a Middlesex-based purchaser, who comes from a specialist pharmacy background and intends to grow the business under the existing management.

Happitots Day Nurseries Limited

Christie + Co is pleased to announce that it has facilitated the merger of Happitots Day Nurseries Limited with the Bertram Nursery Group. Happitots Day Nurseries was established in 1996 and comprised 12 nurseries, providing 865 registered places, wrap-around care and an associated training business.

Christie + Co sells Hunstrete House Hotel

Christie + Co acted on behalf of North American Country Inns, Inc in the off-market sale of Hunstrete House Hotel, near Bath, to Von Essen Hotels for close to £5 million.

The Restaurant Group

Christie + Co was appointed to handle the sale of the Leather Bottle in Reading Road, Mattingley by Lenny Carr-Roberts, who had owned the lease for four successful years and traded the business as a food-led public house. The sale successfully completed in early April to The Restaurant Group.

Jardin de Paris

Christie + Co’s Paris office has acted on behalf of the purchaser of a portfolio of 10 Jardins de Paris branded hotels. The hotels accommodate a total of 430 bedrooms and are located across the heart of Paris and the city’s inner suburbs in prime trading locations. Christie + Co has subsequently been re-instructed to sell on eight of the hotels.

Loch Fyne Restaurants Ltd

Christie + Co was instructed by Richard Bocock and Richard Guess to find a buyer for a 70-cover restaurant site in the West Sussex town of Midhurst. With a new 20-year lease having commenced in January 2007, the leasehold interest was sold to experienced operators, Loch Fyne, to be converted to one of their renowned seafood restaurants.

United Co-Operatives Ltd

Christie + Co acted on behalf of the United Co-Operatives Ltd in the acquisition of three petrol forecourt businesses in the North East including West Wylam Garage Ltd and Crawcrook Filling Station Ltd, as well as Willow Tree Service Station, which is possibly the largest forecourt site in Northumberland.

Charles Wells

Christie + Co has now successfully completed on the sale of the final Charles Wells Pub Company lease, following the transfer of 15 managed pubs into a wholly leased and tenanted estate.

Hibiscus Restaurant

Christie + Co, is delighted to announce that the sale of the two-Michelin-starred Hibiscus restaurant in Ludlow, Shropshire. The property was sold on behalf of Claude and Claire Bosi to former Raymond Blanc protégé Alan Murchison.

The Thurrock Hotel

Christie + Co acted on behalf of the owners of The Thurrock Hotel to source new management for the 58-bedroom hotel in Essex. After a considerable amount of interest, shares were transferred to an experienced group of hoteliers.

Sale of The St David's Hotel & Spa

Christie + Co acted on behalf of Rocco Forte Hotels to identify a successful purchaser for the 132-bedroom St David's Hotel & Spa in Cardiff. Principal Hotels have agreed to acquire the property for £32.5m

Sale of Nant Ddu Lodge

Acting on behalf of private owners, The Ronson family, Christie + Co has sold the 31-bedroom Nant Ddu Lodge in the Brecon Beacons National Park. The purchaser is Lester Hotels and the hotel will be managed by its management company, LHMS Ltd.

Tragus Ltd acquires Ma Potter’s

Christie + Co acted on behalf of Tragus Ltd; operators of the Café Rouge and Bella Italia brands; in their acquisition of Ma Potter’s Ltd, owners of the Ma Potter’s Chargrill and M.A Potters Bar Restaurant brands for £14.15 million.

Comfort Hotel, Lille

After valuing nine leasehold and freehold hotels across France for Ecotravel, Christie + Co’s Paris office has sold the freehold of the 84 bedroom Comfort Hotel Lille to Paninvest for an undisclosed sum.

Rainbow Private Day Nursery Ltd

Christie + Co is delighted to the announce sale of Rainbow Private Day Nursery Ltd, the largest children’s day nursery in North Yorkshire. Rainbow Private Day Nursery Ltd was established in 1989 and has grown from strength to strength. Registered for 216 children, the nursery provides childcare for in excess of 580 children.

Sale of three hotels for Wingrove Properties

Acting on behalf of Wingrove Properties, Christie + Co has sold three South East hotels to David Reuben Junior’s property firm — River Investment Group. The Wingrove family, owners of Galleon Taverns, have decided to retire from the hotel industry and focus on other business interests. The Wingrove portfolio includes the Boat House in Chertsey, Park Lodge Hotel in Teddington Village and the Thames Riviera Hotel in Maidenhead, which were successfully sold for £20 million to the River Investment Group.

Newport Pub Company

Christie + Co acted on behalf of The Newport Pub Company in the sale of 11 freehold pub businesses to the newly formed InnDeed Group for an undisclosed sum.

Swire Properties acquires Alias Hotels

Acting on behalf of LHM plc Christie + Co successfully negotiated the sale Alias Hotels to Swire Properties, which included the Hotel Kandinsky in Cheltenham, Hotel Barcelona in Exeter and Hotel Seattle in Brighton.

New Century Care acquires Aaroncare Ltd

Acting on behalf of New Century Care, Christie + Co has announced the acquisition of Aaroncare Ltd, which operates a group of 5 elderly care homes in the North West of England and Scotland. The properties were acquired by New Century Group Holdings for an undisclosed sum.

Spot Service Stations

A portfolio of seven Spot Service Stations, all located within the Stoke-on-Trent area of Staffordshire, has been sold to a southern-based independent operator through leading retail agents, Christie + Co.

Oakley Court, Windsor

Oakley Court, Windsor, has been acquired by private investors for an undisclosed sum, off an asking price of £50 million. Christie + Co acted for Moat House Hotels in the successful sale of this property.

Caring Homes Ltd acquires specialist nursing home

Christie + Co acted on behalf of Caring Homes Ltd in connection with their acquisition of the 63 bed purpose built Oak Manor Nursing Home in Scarning near Dereham, Norfolk. The home has been independently owned and operated as a nursing home for the elderly, specialising in dementia care, since 1990.

London and Birmingham Hilton Metropoles sell for close to £420 m

Acting on behalf of Hilton Hotels Corporation, Christie + Co announces the sale of the 1,054-bedroom Hilton London Metropole and the 794-bedroom Hilton Birmingham Metropole to the family-owned Tonstate Group for close to £420 million.

Sherborne Towers

Acting on behalf of a corporate care operator, Christie + Co has sold Sherborne Towers, a former 36-bed nursing home. The imposing property is set in 1.9 acres of stunning landscaped gardens and is located just outside of the Conservation Area of Malvern Wells.

The property was purchased by Partnerships in Care, a leading independent provider for specialist mental health care in the UK.

Salford Hall Hotel acquired by a London buyer

Christie + Co has announced the sale of the Salford Hall Hotel near Eversham. The freehold country house hotel was sold for an undisclosed sum, off an asking price of £3 million.

The Plough & Horses, Farnborough

Acting on behalf of The Spirit Group, Christie + Co have sold The Plough and Horses freehouse in Cove, near Farnborough, Hampshire, to brewers Shepherd Neame Ltd from a freehold asking price of £2m. Shepherd Neame is Britain’s oldest brewer and remains an independent family company headed by chief executive Jonathan Neame (the fifth generation of the family at the helm). The company now has some 370 pubs located across the South East.

Allanwater Group

The Christie + Co has sold the Allanwater Group of care homes to the Executive Care Group for an undisclosed sum. The group’s five homes, which are located in Motherwell, Stirling, Falkirk and Doune, provide 285 beds in total.

Britannia Hotels acquires Holiday Inns at Bolton and Leeds/Bradford Airport

Britannia Hotels has today acquired two Holiday Inn hotels at Bolton and Leeds/Bradford Airport. The hotels were sold by Christie + Co on behalf of LRG Acquisition Limited (LRG) — the consortium comprising Realstar Group, Lehman Brothers Real Estate Partners and GIC Real Estate. Britannia Hotels, which celebrates its 30th Anniversary this year, is the UK’s largest private hotel group. Following these latest acquisitions, the group now owns and operates 33 properties totalling more than 6,700 bedrooms.

Sale of KATS Limited

Acting on behalf of a substantial retained client, Christie + Co confidentially acquired the entire issued share capital of KATS Limited. This established learning disability group has a portfolio of four independent units situated in Kent. The properties, which provide a total of 30 spaces, are located in Sittingbourne and Gillingham.

Sale of Lonsdale (Midlands) Limited

Acting on behalf of Lonsdale (Midlands) Limited, Christie + Co conducted a discrete auction of the Company, which culminated in its successful sale. CareTech Holdings PLC acquired the entire issued share capital of Lonsdale for a net cash consideration of £15 million. The acquisition of Lonsdale has added 159 beds and 24 day care places to CareTech’s operation. Services are provided through 28 locations.

One Devonshire Gardens acquired by Malmaison Holdings

Malmaison Holdings Ltd, owner of the UK's leading lifestyle hotel brands, Hotel du Vin and Malmaison, has entered into an exclusivity agreement to purchase the renowned hotel, One Devonshire Gardens in Glasgow, for an undisclosed figure.

Jurys Glasgow is acquired by Portland Hotels

Christie + Co has announced the sale of the 137-bedroom Jurys Glagow Hotel, which is located on Great Western Road, in Glasgow’s fashionable west end. The hotel was acquired by Edinburgh-based Portland Hotels for an undisclosed sum.

Sale of Ayrshire care homes

Christie + Co has sold two prominent Ayrshire care homes, on behalf of the Carr family. The Torrance Lodge and Glennie House care homes have been acquired by Southern Cross Healthcare, for an undisclosed sum.

Healthcare Homes acquires the Pri-Med Group through Christie + Co

Healthcare Homes recently acquired the Pri-Med Group, and it's portfolio of eight care homes, through Christie + Co. The deal increases Healthcare Homes’s East Anglian portfolio of properties from six to 14 and expands the number of beds it provides by 280. The Company now has 519 beds in total, with a further 61 beds currently under construction.

Christie + Co negotiates the sale of the 27 hotel Marmotte portfolio

Christie + Co has negotiated the sale of the Marmotte hotel portfolio. The 27 budget hotels, which are spread in various locations across France, have been acquired by Didier Ferré, one of the country’s main hotel franchisees. Christie + Co acted as the sole agent in the sale of the freehold properties.

Christie + Co negotiates sale of The Scotsman Hotel Group

Christie + Co has announced the sale of The Scotsman Hotel Group. The Group, and its portfolio of three luxury hotels, has been acquired for £63 million by MBI International. Debt finance was provided by HBOS.

QHotels acquires Cheltenham/Gloucester Moat House

Christie + Co has announced the sale of the 120-bedroom Cheltenham/Gloucester Moat House, which was acquired by QHotels. This latest sale follows on from Moat House Hotels’ disposal of nine properties at the end of last year, to Jefferson Hotels LLP, for £100 million. The Cheltenham/Gloucester Moat House is QHotels’ seventh property.

Sister Dora Group

Christie + Co recently handled the sale of the Sister Dora Group. The Group comprised three nursing homes, totalling 137 beds, which are located in Staffordshire and the West Midlands. The properties were sold, off an asking price of £5 million, to an existing operator who is starting a new group of homes.

The Brewery, Chiswell Street, London, sells for £55m

Christie + Co sold Whitbread's former HQ in the City of London, for £55m.
A highly competitive marketing strategy and close teamwork resulted in
over 20 bids, with the eventual sale being concluded within four months of instruction. The 250-year-old site incorporated “The Brewery”, a highly successful functions and banqueting suite, 120,000 sq ft of former office space (with planning for 118 serviced apartments) and a variety of investment and development properties in close proximity.

Dolphin Nurseries Limited

Christie + Co, acting on behalf of a substantial retained client, Huntyard Limited, confidentially acquired the entire issued share capital of Dolphin Nurseries Limited. The nursery chain comprises 6 high quality, predominantly purpose-built, freehold children’s day nurseries within the Greater London area with a total of 543 places.

Central Service Station

Christie + Co was instructed to sell Central Service Station in Manchester, a thriving Texaco petrol filling station with a Spar convenience store. Confidentiality was paramount, in order to ensure there was no interruption to the trade nor uncertainty for the staff. Interest was forthcoming from a wide range of interested parties, from corporate and multiple operators to first-time purchasers. Within four weeks, a sale was agreed to a corporate operator and solicitors were instructed. We achieved a price considerably in excess of the original estimate and the sale completed much to the delight of the vendors and purchaser.

Enterprise Inns

Enterprise Inns has been disposing of between 100-200 pubs per year through Christie + Co for a considerable number of years. Enterprise Inns approached Neil Morgan and asked if we could dispose of a portfolio of 41 properties, confidentially and off-market. Following a period of limited marketing to a number of known purchasers, a deal was completed with Admiral Taverns for the 41 pubs at £10.45 million. The portfolio comprised 31 freehold and 10 leasehold properties.

Unique Pub Co estate

We have been valuers of the Unique Pub Co estate throughout its ownership by both Nomura and Enterprise Inns. We have undertaken annual valuations of the 4,000 or so pub estate since 1999. The last valuation attributed a value of £2.359 billion, which equates to £590k per pub. This work is overseen by James Shorthouse and includes a team of local valuers who inspect 20% of the properties with a desktop review being undertaken of the remainder.

The Cambridge Private Hospital

Christie + Co was instructed to confidentially market The Cambridge Private Hospital by the proprietors, Dr & Mrs Erian. The hospital is among the most modern units of its kind in the UK and provides 11 beds specialising in plastic, cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. The business was marketed on a highly confidential basis and, following a competative bidding process, a sale was concluded with a European Hospital Group for an undisclosed sum.

Star & Garter

Christie + Co was asked to look at the Star & Garter at Redditch as the existing tenant was struggling with the business. We contacted the planning and highways departments to establish their views on redevelopment. Dialogue continued with the council and local police who also actively encouraged the closure of the pub to ensure everyone n the process knew exactly what was happening. The council decided very quickly that it did not want a food or commercial use but it would support residential use. Offers ranged from £730k to over £1m with a deal being agreed after presentations from the three bidders to discuss their schemes in more detail. Full planning permission was obtained for 24 two-bedroom apartments. The value of the pub as a going concern was no more than £450k. Christie + Co extracted over twice this value by its detailed approach to the disposal.

Communitas Limited

Christie + Co was instructed by the shareholders of Communitas Limited to sell the entire issued share capital. The group comprises 6 homes for adults with learning disabilities based in the counties of East Sussex and Kent. The company was marketed on a confidential off-market basis and a deal was concluded for an undisclosed sum. The buyer is an acquisitive corporate care home group specialising in the care of adults with learning disabilities.

Brewery Wharf, Leeds

Christie + Co was initially retained to form part of Rushbond’s development team at the outset of competitive bidding following Tetley Brewery's decision to dispose of the site of its Museum of Brewing. Having been successfully appointed as preferred developer, Rushbond instructed Christie + Co to assist with securing operators for this 500,000 sq ft mixed-use waterside scheme where the likes of Jury’s are now trading successfully with their 248-bed Jury's Inn. Oracle, Yum Yum, Café Guru and Waterfall Spa are also secured on the leisure front.

Carrick Care Homes

Christie + Co was instructed to sell the entire share capital of Carrick Care Homes, Scotland’s largest independent care home provider with 12 high quality purpose-built homes in the greater Glasgow area providing over 750 nursing beds in predominantly single en suite facilities. The group was “auctioned” off market to trade and financial buyers by the corporate healthcare team with the eventual purchaser, BUPA Care Homes, substantially outbidding all other parties. This purchase doubled BUPA’s presence in Scotland with the deal timed to conclude with the opening of Carrick’s largest home, Elderslie in Paisley.