FULLER’S
The pub company recently closed two well known pubs. First was the Inn of Court (formerly the Melton Mowbray) in Holborn (EC1N 2LE). We enquired and a spokesperson for the company told us, “Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control, we are now permanently closed. This was a leasehold site and we have exited the lease. We are sorry to disappoint our regular customers and we hope they will continue to enjoy excellent Fuller’s hospitality at the nearby Ye Olde Mitre.” Next was the Ship at the Borough SE1 1DX). The company issued the same statement as above, except for recommending the Trinity next to Borough underground station as the alternative. The last lease on the Ship expired on 23 June 2022. It seems unlikely that development will be permitted on either site, so they may reopen with new operators. Fuller’s did not reopen a number of City pubs until 9 January because of the train strikes.
As we went to press, news came through of the closure of the Black Horse in Greenford. Please see the Pub News column.
Fuller’s are still acquiring pubs. At the end of last year they added two more pubs in the south west to their estate. De La Hayes, in the celebrated Cotswold village of Bourton on the Water, was formerly a tea room and fish & chip shop which closed in 2020. The local authority initially objected to a pub but the situation has been resolved. The Grade II-listed site was reported to have been on the market for £2.8 million. Refurbishment will be required. The other pub is the Rising Sun in Wootton in the New Forest (BH25 5SF). It is a large roadhouse dating from the 1900s with extensive grounds.
Fuller’s are to continue their partnership with Made in Hackney, the community cookery school and emergency food support service. Consequently, MiH’s plant-based burgers will still be available in a number of Fuller’s managed pubs and hotels. For each burger sold 50p is donated to the charity and, so far, since the arrangement started in August, over £5,000 has been raised.
CARLSBERG MARSTONS BREWING COMPANY
Readers will recall that the process of closing the Jennings brewery in Cockermouth began with the ending of brewery visits and the closure of the visitors’ centre. It is therefore somewhat worrying to learn that CMBC have ended tours of Marston’s Albion Brewery in Shobnall Road, Burton on Trent. The brewery was built in 1875 and first used by Mann, Crossman & Paulin Ltd of Mile End. Marstons took it over in 1898. It was their second site. When it opened, it increased their capacity from 3,000 to 100,000 barrels per annum. It also houses the only remaining working Burton Union set. The significance of that in terms of brewing history is huge. My recollection from a very enjoyable visit long ago is that the site also has extensive sports facilities.
WETHERSPOONS
JDW have applied for planning permission to reinstate the whole of the former Red Lion in Kilburn High Road (NW6 5UA) as a pub. The site was also formerly known as the Westbury and Soul Store West. JDW have owned the site since 2021.
Against that, on 19 December, they announced that the Edmund Halley in Lee (SE12 8SS) was to close on 30 December. This pub had not been included on any of their previous closure lists because its closure comes about because of much delayed plans to redevelop the Lee Gate shopping centre rather than JDW’s own plans. Happily, all the staff will be redeployed.
In the last edition, I missed out one new opening. This was the London and North Western at New Street station in Birmingham (B2 4QA). Shortly after, the pub, reported to have cost £2.4 million, had to be closed urgently for most of one day when a pigeon got in and proved difficult to remove. Specialist help was called in. There are no reports as to what became of the bird. For the carpet spotters among you, the one here features James Watt, the engineer.
Those who like to start a day’s activities with a JDW breakfast will be pleased to learn that breakfast service times have been extended from 11:30 to midday.
As some of you may have noticed, JDW held a ‘January sale’ in which the prices of a number of food and drink lines were reduced. The only cask beer involved was Ruddles Best (3.7% ABV), brewed these days by Greene King.
GREENE KING
GK have reorganised the branding of their pubs. Their ‘core’ pubs are now classified as one of ‘Local Pubs’, ‘Premium & Urban’ or ‘Metropolitan’. There are also five food-led brands, including ‘Hungry Horse’ and ‘Chef & Brewer’. The definition of the ‘Premium & Urban’ estate is that it includes ‘a smorgasbord of different pubs. Historic buildings who’ve seen hundreds of years of patrons passing through their doors, whether it was Dickens observing Victorian London or Frances Crick announcing the discovery of DNA. As well as businesses who thrive on innovation and providing new experiences, we have collections of pubs who embody the true British spirit of a city boozer and some who are the only place to watch the next big game’. It is understood that the choice of guest (non GK) beers is now very limited.
SOMETHING DIFFERENT ON THE BBM
Despite competition from Walthamstow, the Bermondsey Beer Mile is still going strong and now has something different to offer in the shape of a Mead Bar, operated by London’s only mead producers, Gosnells. It can be found, as you would expect, in a railway arch at 72 Enid Street, SE16 3RA. They offer some exclusive meads that are only available at the taproom plus ‘beer, wine and other treats!’ For more information, go to https://www.gosnells.co.uk/pages/gosnells-meadery-taproom.
OR SOME LONDON CIDER?
Last autumn, Hawkes, London’s urban cidery, managed to save 13 tons of apples from going to waste through their annual Apple Donor drive. All of the apples came from London and their ‘This is London’ cider should be available at their taproom for a limited period in the spring. The taproom is also on the BBM, at 86/92 Druid Street, SE1 2HQ. For more information, go here.
SIBA APPOINTS NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Andy Slee, the former chairman of the Black Sheep brewery, has been appointed as the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA)’s new chief executive. Mr Slee, a CAMRA member, said, “I am of the passionate belief that small independent breweries are a force for good in the communities they serve. They are the vibrant heart that helps bring people together. SIBA represents a huge breadth of independent British brewers. Our job is to help create an environment in which all can thrive in what are very challenging times and ensure that local beer is a vibrant and growing part of the British beer landscape. That can only be achieved by helping small independent breweries to thrive. I look forward to working with the SIBA team and all its members to do just that.” We wish him well.
CAMERONS TO DISPOSE OF TENANTED PUBS
Although not directly affecting London, this confirms what appears to be a trend in the pub industry. In November, Hartlepool based Camerons put their portfolio of 31 leased and tenanted estate on the market. The proceeds will be used to expand their managed house operation. It was expected that there would be no problem in selling the sites, with Admiral Taverns and Blackrose being mentioned, but I have not seen any reports yet.
MORE FUNDING FOR REDCAT
Another interested party could be the RedCat Pub Company, led by former Greene King chief executive Rooney Anand. It was reported in the Morning Advertiser (28 November) that their American backers, Oaktree Capital, were advancing ‘millions of pounds’ of further funding. No-one was willing to confirm the exact amount.
HARCOURT INNS DISPOSALS
Harcourt Inns, who primarily operate hotels, have put three London pubs on the market. They are the Crown in Chiswick (W4 1PD), formerly Chiswick police station, the Three Cranes in Blackfriars (EC4V 2BA) and their original pub, the Harcourt in Marylebone (W1H 4HX). They are available individually or as a package. They are being marketed by the agents Savills who commented to the Morning Advertiser, “The pubs have all been tastefully refurbished in recent years and are presented in excellent order. They represent a fantastic opportunity for established operators and new entrants to acquire properties in some of London’s most exclusive locations.”
TOP TEN BEST SELLING CASK BEERS
I suspect that what follows will not be any great surprise to most readers. These figures are for the year to 8 October 2022 and come courtesy of the Morning Advertiser. Inevitably, Sharps (Molson Coors) Doom Bar was top. 163,281 hectolitres (hl) of it were sold, almost double the previous year. This represents sales worth £101.1 million. Timothy Taylor’s Landlord moved up to second place, with an increase in sales of 182% to 103,599 hl, worth £74.4 million (last year £25.9 million). Greene King IPA was pushed down to third place but still 91,884 hl of it were sold, worth £60 million.
Places four, five and six went to Fuller’s London Pride, Greene King Abbot Ale and St Austell Tribute, the latter seeing sales almost double. Seventh and eighth were two Marston’s beers, Wainwright and Pedigree, with Butcombe Original in ninth place and, bringing up the rear, Eagle/Young’s London Original, now owned by Spanish brewers Damm.