The iconic Victorian pub, The Herne in East Dulwich, has been taken over by one of London's leading premium pub and dining group, Urban Pubs & Bars.

The group, which operates 44 locations across the capital, announced the acquisition as part of their ongoing expansion plans.

The Herne Tavern, a beloved local establishment, comes with a rich history and a large beer garden that is cherished by the community.

Urban Pubs & Bars have already started to make their mark by installing a new pub menu, featuring classic dishes and a hearty Sunday Roast, with meat sourced from the award-winning butcher, HG Walter.

While the pub has a new owner, patrons are assured that the venue will continue to function as normal.

UP&B has a variety of other locations under its umbrella, including last year's acquisitions such as the Gun from East London Pub Co in Spitalfields and The Red Setter on Northcote Road.

The Red Setter notably underwent a £1m refurbishment and building programme which saw the venue grandly reopened in a unique launch event featuring Red Setter and other dogs from the local community.

Reflecting on the group's growth and success, UP&B Managing Director, Chris Hill, expressed his satisfaction with the recent purchases.

He said: "We are delighted to add The Gun in Spitalfields and The Herne in East Dulwich to our growing portfolio.

“These are iconic pubs, and we will continue to offer the excellent food, drink and great service that Urban Pubs and Bars are famous for."

Earlier this year, the group reported its Earnings before Interest, Tax Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA) at a positive £6.4m for the financial year ending April 30, 2023.

This was an improvement of 11 per cent versus the prior year.

Surpassing financial expectations, the group declared its like-for-like sales were up by 17 per cent and turnover increased by almost 60 per cent, reaching £52.2m.

Further progress followed on the heels of a remarkable Christmas trading period, during which like-for-like sales growth soared to an impressive 19 per cent in December 2023.

These promising results reflect a strong recovery for London's hospitality sector, bouncing back to pre-pandemic levels.

The robust performance has continued into the current financial year, with the group successfully opening four new venues, including The Red Setter, Victory at Waterloo Station, Railway in Putney, and The Junction in Islington.

Each venue is already trading beyond initial expectations, indicating a positive future for the expanding pub group.

Recognised for its growth and quality, Urban Pubs & Bars has garnered multiple awards.

Most recently, the group was awarded 'Best Managed Pub Company - 2-50 sites’ at the Publican Awards in 2023, for the second time.

It also picked up 'Best Food-led Pub Company 2021' at the R200 awards among other accolades.

The thriving group was founded in 2014 by Nick Pring and Malc Heap, and now boasts an impressive profile of 44 pubs, bars and restaurants across London.