Marston’s Pub Company has acquired four sites belonging to the Rutland Pub Company for £5.5m.

Marston’s operations director, Andrew Andrea, said: “These are pubs focused on great food and excellent service. Food is an increasingly important part of any pub business and the fact that all four pubs have successful restaurants makes them even more attractive.”

The 16th century former coaching inn Marquess of Exeter pub near Uppingham in Rutland has 16 en-suite bedrooms, a 150-capacity function room, a 100-cover restaurant, snug and bar. Marston’s plans to spend £50,000 on revamping the building.

The two-storey, thatched Blue Ball Inn in Braunston is Rutland’s oldest pub, dating back to the 17th century, and has a 60-cover restaurant.

In Alcester, Warwickshire, the 17th century Blue Boar Inn has 13 letting bedrooms, an 80-cover restaurant and a bar. It has recently been refurbished.

The final pub in the collection is Fulbeck’s Hare & Hounds – a grade II-listed building. It has a 100-cover restaurant, real ales and locally sourced food. The existing stable block will be converted into letting rooms and an external area.

Andrea added: “Our priority now is to find the right licensees to drive these businesses forward.”

Photograph: Blue Boar Inn