Chester-based Admiral Taverns has agreed to buy the community pub group Hawthorn from NewRiver REIT plc for £222.3 million.

Hawthorn has 674  community pubs and the deal will see Admiral expand to more than 1,600 pubs across the UK.

Chris Jowsey, chief executive of Admiral, said: “It is a really exciting step forward for the business and we remain committed to the supportive partnership model, which is highly regarded by licensees.

“Our wet-led, community focused, supportive culture is very much shared by Hawthorn and I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome our new licensees and colleagues to Admiral.

“The acquisition has allowed us to acquire an excellent portfolio of pubs which we look forward to developing through our award-winning and highly supportive approach.

“During the pandemic Admiral has consistently championed its community pubs, offering significant rent aid and reopening support as well as lobbying the Government on key issues such as hospitality grants, reducing business rates and VAT, and economic support for the hospitality sector.”