UK-based independent pub operator Urban Pubs & Bars has purchased restaurant group Albion & East, bringing four London restaurants into its portfolio: Teatro Hall in Ealing, Canova Hall in Brixton, Botanica Hall in Clapham Junction and Serata Hall in the City.

Urban Pubs & Bars will take the business on in its entirety and all existing Albion & East team members will join the group.

Urban Pubs & Bars managing director Chris Hill stated: “Albion & East is a business we’ve long admired. Their venues share our passion for great design, fresh, high-quality food and drink, and genuine neighbourhood hospitality. We’re delighted to welcome their teams into the Urban family and look forward to supporting these outstanding venues through their next chapter.”

Since May 2025, the operator has completed a series of openings and acquisitions.

Among them are St John’s Tavern in Archway, the Marlborough Head in Covent Garden, the Bald-faced Stag in East Finchley, the Highbury Barn Tavern and the Bat and Ball in Covent Garden.

In January 2025, the group purchased Martello Hall from Albion & East and subsequently invested in the site to open the London Fields in February.

Urban reported like-for-like sales growth of 8.7% from the beginning of its financial year in May 2025, with sales nearing £100m ($131.44m) since October 2025.

The acquisition follows Urban’s wider consolidation activity in 2024, when it bought 11 pub sites from the Antic hospitality group out of administration.

These sites were part of a larger portfolio that experienced financial distress during the Covid-19 pandemic.