Oakman Inns and Restaurants opens sixth site

Hertfordshire-based Oakman Inns and Restaurants has opened its sixth site, in Witney, Oxfordshire, after a £3m investment.

Owner Peter Borg-Neal took on the Blue Boar after the success of the refurbishment of the Kings Arms in Berkhamsted.

As a result, the company started looking at other market towns with historic coaching inns where they could continue to grow.

Group turnover is expected to grow to £9m in 2012 from £6.5m last year. Traditionally the company has worked on a strategy of renovating old, often listed, properties and sympathetically restoring them to a modern setting. Now, however, Oakman Inns is increasing its focus on properties with rooms.

"Our original thinking when we started Oakman Inns with the opening of the Akeman in 2007 was around the creation of a smart casual eating and drinking environment. The extension of that thinking into an accommodation offer is a natural progression for the business. The Kings Arms was the trial for the theory and its runaway success has left us hungry for more. We believe that our future lies in meeting the expectations of all those looking for comfort away from home. Be it just a drink, something to eat, a good night's sleep or a combination of all three the same approach will apply. We want people to feel warm and welcome - hospitality without pretension," explained Borg-Neal.

The company now employs over 300 people and Borg-Neal estimates that his business generates around another £4m across the group in terms of support for the tourism, catering and hospitality industries.

By Neil Gerrard

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