Brewer and pub operator Fuller Smith & Turner has bought five new pubs for a total of £7.2m in cash. 

The Five Bells at Stanbridge in Bedfordshire and the Talkhouse at Stanton St in Oxfordshire, were acquired from Gourmet Holdings for £2.85m.

The remaining three, located in Hampshire, were bought from private vendors.

Fuller’s said it would run the pubs as part of its Fuller’s Inns managed estate.

Last week Fuller’s reported a strong half-year performance boosted by the purchase of rival beer and pub group Gales last year.

The London Pride brewer said pre-tax profit for the six months to 30 September climbed 31% to £10.9m, with turnover up 35% to £91.1m. 

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By Kerstin Kühn

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