News The Pig buys Cotswolds hotel and first pub By James Stagg


The Pig group has acquired the Barnsley House hotel and the Boot pub in the same Cotswolds village. The acquisition of the 17th- century hotel in the village of Barnsley near Cirencester comes amid a wider expansion push for the boutique hospital- ity group. It plans to open the Pig on the


farm in Stratford-upon-Avon at the end of 2024 and the Pig at Groombridge in Tunbridge Wells in summer 2025. Barnsley House hotel, which


has 18 bedrooms and suites, has been sold along with sister business the Boot pub. The hotel includes a spa,


which will allow the Pig team to expand its treatment offering beyond its Potting Shed mas- sage rooms, as well as orna- mental gardens. It will continue to be run by its existing team until 4 February, before reopening in the summer as the Pig and Village Pub.


Pig chairman Robin Hutson


said it was an opportunity to take on a property that was so close to the DNA of the group. He added: “We are absolutely


thrilled to have acquired Barns- ley House, it has been in my peripheral vision for many years as a possible acquisition, always thinking it would make a perfect ‘Pig’ and we are very excited to have our first pub too.” The Pig group launched in


2011 and now operates eight hotels, with three more now in the pipeline. Private equity firm KSL Capi-


tal Partners took a major stake in the business in 2022 to fund its expansion, with Hutson focused on identifying new locations for the brand. Speaking to The Caterer last


year, he said: “When you’re looking for properties you kiss a lot of frogs… then you go and visit some and eventually one or two pop out.”


The Pig has bought Barnsley House hotel along with the Boot pub james.stagg@thecaterer.com


Benares owner charged over drink spiking in Mayfair club He has been remanded


The director of a Michelin- starred London restaurant has been charged with trying to spike a woman’s drink at a May- fair private members’ club. Vikas Nath, 61, of Knights-


bridge Road, appeared at West- minster Magistrates Court on 17 January to face a charge of administrating a substance with intent. Nath is listed on Companies


House as a director of Termdeal Ltd, which is behind high- end Indian restaurant Benares in Mayfair. According to his LinkedIn


profile, the company’s portfolio includes seven restaurants in the UK and Spain, two of which hold Michelin stars. Police officers were called


to a private members’ club in Mayfair in the early hours of 15 January by concerned venue staff after a report of attempted spiking of a female guest. Nath was arrested in the club


and later charged under Section 61 of the Sexual Offences Act.


6 | The Caterer | 26 January 2024


in custody to next appear at Southwark Crown Court on 14 February. Detective Inspector Kieron


Vaughan, who is leading the investigation, said: “Anyone who suspects they might have been spiked is urged to report it to police as soon as possible so that we can obtain any time- sensitive evidence needed to assist in the investigation. “If you are in a bar or club


you can report it to a member of staff who will assist you. If you see anything suspicious, report it to bar staff or police. If you witness a crime in progress please call 999. “It is not a crime to have ille-


gal drugs in your system (unless you are driving) so do not let this be a barrier to reporting to police. This information, how- ever, is vital in terms of obtain- ing the correct medical support and treatment. “If you have any information regarding those involved in


Violence Against Women and Girls, please contact you local police on 101. “Alternatively, you can


provide information anony- mously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”


Vikas Nath appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court on 17 January www.thecaterer.com


WILLIAM BARTON/SHUTTERSTOCK


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