Pub and brewery firm and Regency member, The Liberation Group has expanded by completing a combination deal with Cirrus Inns.

The transaction sees Heineken-owned Cirrus’ 22 pubs across the South East and South West - including sites in Dorset, Gloucestershire and Somerset - join the Liberation portfolio, which now covers an area spanning the Channel Islands to London.

Following its deal with Cirrus, Liberation now oversees an estate of around 137 pubs, made up of 79 managed and 58 tenanted sites, with accommodation of more than 400 rooms.

Group chief executive Jonathan Lawson will lead the combined group with the Cirrus founder Alex Langlands Pearse joining the board as a non-executive director.

Jonathan Lawson said:

“Liberation Group, Cirrus and our respective majority shareholders, share a very similar view of pubs, and the unique role they play in our communities. ‘Langy’ and his team have built a superb business which we are incredibly proud to welcome into Liberation Group.”

Alex Langlands Pearse added:

“I have watched the development of Liberation Group over the last few years and along with our major shareholder, the Heineken family, feel confident in the ability of its team to take the business forward. We are reassured that in Caledonia, we have found investors with the similar level of family values, ambition, and long-term approach to build something unique and I look forward to joining the board."