The Peach Pub Company has acquired its seventh pub, the Old Mill, in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire.

The Punch Taverns lease is currently operating as a Chef & Brewer, but Peach intends to spend £400,000 refurbishing the listed Victorian site in February next year.

Peach, whose menus are based on seasonal British produce using free-range meat and eggs, takes control of the pub, which has a 70-seat restaurant area and a private dining room, on 6 December.

Lee Cash, co-founder of Peach, told Caterer: "The pub backs on to a weir and has a courtyard area that we'd like to make the most of. We're really excited and can't wait to get stuck in."

The Midlands-based company has also welcomed Alan Turtill, previously operations manager at the Roof Gardens in London's Kensington, on board as pub manager and joint-venture partner.

Turtill has a one-third share in the new pub, with Cash and Peach co-founder Hamish Stoddart holding the rest of the equity.

By Chris Druce