Antic back as Gregarious

Antic fell into administration in mid-January, and has been run since then by recovery specialists Chantrey Vellacott. Its dozen pubs around the capital include the Balham Bowls Club, Graveney & Meadow, Pepper Saint, the Stapleton Tavern and the Royal Albert (pictured).

Gregarious is the new vehicle for Max Alderman, previously operations director for Antic. He is being backed by financial group Downing. Alderman is also responsible for another package of pubs under the Antic London umbrella, which were unaffected by Antic’s collapse.

Chantrey Vellacott’s Richard Toone said: “A lot of hard work has been done to get this sale over the line, and we’re delighted to complete a sale of 12 sites which includes the transfer of over 200 jobs. The pubs are very popular and since our appointment we received in excess of 20 formal offers. We’re pleased to have finalised a deal with the director of Gregarious Limited and are confident the new owners are well placed to stabilise the leases at each of the pubs and make them a success again.”