Twelve of the 14 Antic Limited leasehold sites, which were placed into administration last month, have been bought by a new company, Gregarioud, led by Max Alderman, who works for Antic London as its operation manager. Funding for the deal has been provided by investment fund Downing.
The Gregarious venues will be run under the Antic London banner, which is the trading name for a collection of 24 other pubs that are held in a variety of legal vehicles. Only two sites from the original Antic Limited estate have been handed back to their landlords, one of which was not open at the time of the administration.
The pubs acquired by Gregarious are: White Hart, Stoke Newington (pictured), Jam Circus, Brockley, Pepper St Ontiod, Crossharbour, Balham Bowls Club, Balham, Royal Albert, Deptford, The Tiger Camberwell Green, The Wheatsheaf, Tooting, The Kings Head, Clapham, The Bohemia, North Finchley, Stapleton Tavern, Finchley Park, Battersea Mess, Battersea and the Acton Arms, Acton.
Antic Limited was placed in administration with Chantrey Vellacott after problems paying sums due to HRMC. The administration did not affect the 24 pubs operated under the Antic London banner. A total of 11 freehold pubs in the group are co-owned with Downing with four other freehold acquisitions in the pipeline – the 11 sites are run through a variety of independent legal vehicles.
Antic is known for revitalising a number of unfashionable south and east London high streets with its quirky and characterful pubs.