THE former boss of a pub chain has snapped up a historic pub and hotel in the New Forest.

Rooney Anand, previously Greene King chief executive, chairs RedCat Pub Company which has now bought the Forest Park Country Hotel and Inn at Brockenhurst.

Last year Mr Anand raised £200m to invest in Britain's pub industry, and the firm now has more than 100 pubs.

The 40-bedroom New Forest pub hosted 26th American president Theodore Roosevelt in 1910, and it acted as the general hospital for the Indian and New Zealand military in the First World War.

It has been acquired by The Coaching Inn Group, which is in turn owned by RedCat.

The sale was brokered by Savills.

READ MORE: The Bricklayers Arms in Southampton named Echo's Pub of the Year

Kevin Charity, Chief Executive of The Coaching Inn Group, said: “I’m delighted to have acquired this modern Country House Hotel centred in the New Forest National Park.

"Thanks to RedCat’s support, we have been working at pace over the last few months to expand our attractive portfolio, particularly in areas of scenic natural beauty which see strong tourist visitation.”

Rooney Anand, Executive Chairman, RedCat Pub Company, added: "RedCat and the Coaching Inn Group continue to selectively invest, focusing on running high-quality pub hotels across the country, which will offer customers the best possible service and good value.

"I’m particularly proud of our recent acquisitions in popular tourist destinations including the New Forest, North Norfolk and Brecon Beacons National Park, which attract both domestic and international visitors.”

The Coaching Inn Group operates coaching inns in areas including the Cotswolds, Peak District, Leicestershire, Staffordshire, and Cambridgeshire.

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