UK-based manager of pubs and bars Stonegate Pub Company has signed two separate agreements to acquire cocktail bar operators Be At One and Novus Leisure.

Established in 1998, Be At One operates 33 bars, with 17 sites located in London. The remaining 16 are located across Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Reading and Cardiff.

Upon completion, Stonegate Pub Company intends to operate Be At One as a separate business entity, retaining all of the operational management team and head office staff.

Going forward, the pub company is planning to make further investments in Be At One in order to expand the existing estate.

“This acquisition is a great cultural fit with our existing portfolio.”

In the second development, Stonegate Pub Company has exchanged contracts to acquire 15 bars from Novus Leisure. The bars are located in prime locations across London.

With the acquisition, Stonegate Pub Company is expecting to further strengthen its position as a high street, managed pub operator in the UK.

The company plans to invest in the various sites acquired from Novus Leisure, and capitalise on its expertise in pre-booked sales.

Stonegate CEO Simon Longbottom said: “These are both excellent acquisitions for Stonegate which are right in our sweet spot. Be At One is a business we know well and have admired for some time.

“This acquisition is a great cultural fit with our existing portfolio and Be At One’s strong association with the delivery of premium cocktails in high street locations, capitalising on the growing trend of premiumisation, further consolidates Stonegate’s leading position in this market segment.”