A deal to purchase six pubs previously operated by the Seafood Pub Company has been agreed – saving 150 jobs in the area.

The Alma Inn in Laneshawbridge, the Derby Arms in Longridge, the Farmers Arms in Great Eccleston, the Fenwick Arms in Claughton, the Forest Inn in Fence and the Fleece Inn in Addingham will all open their doors again after being purchased by The Oakman Group.

The Seafood Pub Company’s remaining two Lancashire venues, the Assheton Arms in Downham and the Oyster and Otter in Blackburn were not part of the deal.

Oakman has acquired the six venues from the administrators and Seafood Pub will now become their third brand.

Joycelyn Neve, the founder and former MD of Seafood Pub Company, will join The Oakman Group as the MD of this new division.

Sitting alongside Oakman’s existing brands – Oakman Inns and Beech House – this purchase strengthens their aspirations to have 40 pubs in their portfolio by the end of 2021.

Joycelyn Neve commented: “I have been a huge admirer of The Oakman Group, its ethos and its ambition. They have acquired the cream of the Seafood Pub Company sites and I’m confident that, with the Oakman team’s support, we will prove to be enormously successful. My expectation at this stage is that all six pubs will reopen on May 17th and we will immediately start work on putting our new teams together.”

Dermot King, CEO of The Oakman Group, said: “I am delighted that we have agreed terms to acquire these sites which represent the next stage in our strategic development as we look to extend our boundaries beyond our Home Counties heartland.

“We believe that there is significant untapped potential in the premium pub sector, and I am not placing any upper limits on our ambition.”

Noel Moffitt, Senior Director, Christie & Co., handled the sale on behalf of the Administrators, BDO, and national law firm, Freeths, advised on the deal.