UK pub agency plunges into liquidation – £1.5m money owed | UK | News | EUROtoday

An organization that ran two in style pubs in Oxfordshire has entered liquidation, leaving money owed of over £1.5 million. Despite this, each venues stay open however underneath new possession. Sergeant and Holliday Pub Co Limited, which ran The Bottle & Glass Inn in Binfield Heath space and Hart Street Tavern in Henley-on-Thames, went into collectors’ voluntary liquidation in May 2025, in accordance with a discover on The London Gazette, the UK’s official public report since 1665.

Begbies Traynor was appointed because the liquidator to supervise the method. Documents submitted to collectors reveal that the corporate’s liabilities exceeded £1.5 million, together with greater than £1 million owed to HMRC, about £54,000 in unpaid enterprise charges to South Oxfordshire District Council, in addition to sums as a result of banks, suppliers, and contractors, the Henley Standard reported. The liquidators have been tasked with realising any belongings and distributing funds to collectors.

Although the corporate plunged into liquidation, each pubs proceed to commerce. In 2025, native businessman Matthew Munson reportedly acquired the freeholds and has stored the venues working underneath their unique names.

Alex Sergeant and David Holliday, who based the Hart Street Tavern in 2019 and took over the Bottle & Glass Inn in 2017, defined that the money owed largely amassed in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, which compelled each pubs to shut for a number of months. Despite their efforts to maintain the companies afloat, the financial pressures proved insurmountable.

Mr Sergeant beforehand informed the Henley Standard: “The businesses battled hard through covid to survive but accumulated debt. We worked tirelessly to try to trade out of it but the reality is the economic situation over the past couple of years has meant that, ultimately, the businesses were unable to keep up with repayments.”

He added: “Without the debt we accrued through covid and based on our forecasts, we felt strongly that both businesses would thrive, particularly with the amazing support we have garnered in the community over the past half decade, and we felt strongly committed to our staff. So, we were relieved when the sites were rescued. We hope the communities support for these beloved venues will remain strong as ever as they move forward.”

Mr Munson mentioned he was approached by the companions initially of 2025. He informed the information outlet that underneath his possession employees have been retained and the venues have seen improved income, notably from weddings, company occasions, and personal capabilities.

The Bottle & Glass Inn, previously operated by Brakspear and renovated by the Phillimore Estate, had a £250,000 inside refurbishment underneath Sergeant and Holliday. The ‘food-orientated’ nation pub has lengthy been a favorite for native residents and guests with its lovely thatched roof and scrumptious meals. It has received a number of awards, together with a 2018 itemizing within the Michelin Guide.

A barn was developed 100 years from the Bottle & Glass Inn to accommodate socially distanced eating in the course of the pandemic. It hosts breakfast, brunch, lunch and drinks each Saturday and Sunday in addition to weddings and personal occasions. The venue additionally gives three snug rooms for in a single day stays.

Hart Street Tavern is positioned within the coronary heart of Henley-on-Thames and serves up to date British delicacies utilizing regionally sourced elements. The venue gives versatile eating experiences, from espresso and pastries to full dinners in the principle eating space or backyard.

Guests can take pleasure in a curated wine record, craft cocktails, and seasonal menus. Hart Street Tavern additionally hosts non-public occasions in a separate eating space, with outside seating accessible when the climate permits, and infrequently options dwell music performances.