Leading brewer and pub retailer Fuller, Smith and Turner P.L.C has added another hotel – The White Swan in Stratford-upon-Avon – to its growing high quality estate.
The 500-year-old Grade II-listed building in the heart of Shakespeare’s birthplace boasts 41 rooms as well as a traditional pub on the ground floor with low beams and a large open fire. Its striking half-timbered Tudor frontage perfectly chimes with Stratford’s historic charm, and legend has it that Shakespeare bought his bread at the bakery situated at the site in the 16th Century.
The White Swan now takes Fuller’s complement of quality hotels to eight, in addition to the 16 Fuller’s Inns with bedrooms. Fuller’s purchased the hotel from Pebble Hotels on April 27th.
Simon Emeny, Group Managing Director of Fuller’s said: “Stratford-upon-Avon is a beautiful town, full of heritage, with great appeal to tourists and The White Swan has the potential to be a remarkable period hotel, making it a great addition to the Fuller’s estate. Its celebrated history and timeless appeal makes it a perfect fit for the Company and we look forward to putting the Fuller’s stamp of quality on it.
“We will be making a significant investment in both the bedrooms and pub to bring it in line with Fuller’s premium offering ensuring outstanding cask conditioned ale, delicious food, great wines and engaging service, as well as beautiful modern accommodation in an historic listed building. This is the perfect time to expand in to Stratford, with the redevelopment of the RSC’s Royal Shakespeare Theatre, which is just a stone’s throw away from The White Swan’s central location.”
Fuller’s plans to upgrade the existing facilities towards the end of the year, ensuring that The White Swan is fully operational for the start of the 2012 tourist season.