Award-winning gastro pub group makes its tenth catch


The Seafood Pub Company has added another pub destination to its growing portfolio across Lancashire.

The firm has acquired the Alma Inn in Laneshawbridge, making it the tenth pub venue in the group, with the Forest in Fence due to open in August following an extensive refurbishment.

Joycelyn Neve, managing director at the Seafood Pub Company, said, “The Alma is a fantastic and thriving business, and we’re absolutely thrilled to welcome this freehold to the Seafood Pub Company group.”

“We’re not looking to make any drastic changes, we simply want to enhance and improve the wonderful business that is already in place.

“We want to reassure customers that all bookings already in the diary will still take place, with the exact team they booked them with; we’re really looking forward to hosting a number of weddings, functions and events, alongside the regular dining service, ensuring guests have an amazing experience all round.”

The Alma Inn was a rural coaching house originally built in 1725; with stone floors, original beams and real fires, the venue is cosy and comforting throughout the year; nestled in the beautiful Pendle countryside, the site is a great destination in the summer.

Damien Brierley, general manager at the Alma Inn said: “The Alma has nine en-suite bedrooms on site, and we think it’s important to use these to their full potential, creating opportunities for both leisure and corporate guests.

“All events including weddings, birthdays and the like, will still 100% go ahead, with the team that customers booked with, so we’re really looking forward to hosting a number of exciting functions.

“The Inn has plenty of fabulous qualities, and its addition as the tenth venue in the Seafood Pub Company group is great news!”

The Seafood Pub Company has nine other venues across Lancashire including the Assheton Arms in Downham, the Barley Mow in Pendle and the Derby Arms in Longridge.

The group has won numerous food awards, including the prestigious Publican awards, Best Food Offer for 2-50 sites for the last two years, and Joycelyn recently won the Pub and Bar award at the Cateys, which are considered to be the ‘Oscars’ of the hospitality world.

Each venue in the group boasts its own individuality and charm, with five, soon to be six, offering beautiful accommodation for both leisure and corporate guests.