Three Tuns confirms opening date
The Three Tuns pub in Henley, Oxfordshire, is set to welcome customers back through the doors on Tuesday 27 May.
Located in the town’s Market Place, the pub was acquired by Nigel Sutcliffe, owner of the Oarsman in Marlow, and Barry Wagner, owner of Gabriel Machin butchers.
The duo first joked about taking over the pub, which is next door to Gabriel Machin, decades ago—while chatting over the butcher’s counter.
Over the years, the idea never quite went away. Now, they’ve turned that shared vision into reality with the re-launch of The Three Tuns.
The revived pub will focus on the surrounding community, offering relaxed service built around premium cuts and ingredients sourced directly from Gabriel Machin.
As well as new owners, the pub will also offer a new food and drink menu, including confit lamb breast with carrot & black garlic, baked hake with brown shrimp and spring greens, and a confit chicken ‘chasseur’ pie for two alongside a grill menu, which is served with fries, rocket and Béarnaise.
The Three Tuns will be run by the team behind the Oarsman, with executive chef Scott Smith overseeing the kitchen and general manager Patrycja Gajda leading front of house.
Heartwood opens 29th pub
Heartwood Inns has officially launched the Prince of Wales pub in East Barnet, marking its 29th pub opening.
The pub was opened on Tuesday 13 May, in a ceremony officiated by the Mayor of Barnet, Tony Vourou, accompanied by Mayoress Caroline Vourou. The honour of pulling the first pint went to Dan Tomlinson, MP for Chipping Barnet.
Previously designated as an asset of community interest, the pub has undergone extensive refurbishment and extension in line with Heartwood’s signature style.
With a combined total of 150 internal covers, the bar provides a number of intimate spaces where guests can enjoy a drink while the newly extended dining room leads on to a sheltered garden with a further 55 seats.
Under the leadership of General Manager Rory McMonagle and head chef Ram Rana Magar, guests will be able to enjoy a seasonally changing, sustainably sourced menu in line with Heartwood’s three star rating from the Sustainable Restaurant Association.
To celebrate the opening of the pub, the team have a full calendar of activities lined up over the coming weeks, including a guided dog walk and live music in the garden.
Heartwood CEO Richard Ferrier said: “We are delighted to have been able to bring this much loved pub back to life and to restore it to its rightful place at the heart of the East Barnet community.
“We are also very grateful for the support that we have received and are very excited to be welcoming guests through our doors today.”
The next pub’s to open as part of Heartwood’s growth plans are the White Hart in Lymington later this month and the Ragged Robin in Godalming, Surrey, in June.
Admiral pumps £340k into town pub
Admiral Taverns has injected £340,000 into the United Kingdom pub in Willenhall, West Midlands.
Part of Proper Pubs, the community wet-led division of Admiral, the venue reopened on Thursday 1 May following a “transformational makeover”.
Inside, the United Kingdom has benefitted from new flooring, furniture, fixtures and fittings throughout as well as the introduction of a new sports area complete with two dartboards, a pool table and five flat screen television screens, offering Sky, TNT Sports and horse racing channels.
Outside, the pub boasts a spacious beer garden – seating approximately 80 people – and now features a large stage for live entertainment and special events as well as one outdoor television. To complete the United Kingdom’s brand new look, it has also received new lighting and signage.
In addition, while the venue doesn’t host its own food menu, there is a permanent food truck stationed in the pub’s car park providing breakfasts, burgers, jacket potatoes and more.
Operator Sarah Darcy said: “I’m thrilled to be at the helm of the United Kingdom alongside my partner Neil, and it was fantastic to be able to welcome the community back through the doors in time for the bank holiday.
“The pub looks absolutely incredible following the refurbishment and so far feedback from the community has been great.”
To ensure she’s catering to the needs of the community, Darcy has also implemented a ‘suggestions box’ to give residents the opportunity to put forward their ideas for regular entertainment.
Keen to support all aspects of community life, the operator has also planed to collect food to donate to the local foodbank as well as raise money to have a lifesaving defibrillator installed.
Moving forward, she hopes to fundraise for several important community charities/causes including the local primary school and youth football academy.
Proper Pubs operations director Matthew Gurney added: “It’s a real pleasure to welcome Sarah and Neil to the United Kingdom and it’s been a joy working with them so far.
“The pair bring so much passion, energy and dedication to the pub so I have no doubt they will be able to create a fantastic venue that sits at the heart of the community.”
Palé Hall opens pub with rooms
Luxury hotel brand, Palé Hall Estate, has marked a new chapter with the opening of the Bryntirion Inn, as part of its ongoing expansion plans.
The gastropub, which also boasts six bedrooms is situated at the gates of the five-star Palé Hall Hotel in Bala, North Wales, brought to life by a £1m refurbishment by Anthony and Donna Cooper-Barney.
Dating back to 1695, the Bryntirion has been thoughtfully restored to preserve is history as a village pub while reimagining it as a place to eat well, drink locally, and stay in comfort.
Inside, the inn is divided between a relaxed dining room with 60 covers and a characterful bar area framed by original stone walls, exposed beams and cosy fireplaces.
Adding a personal decorative touch, the owners have also curated a display of classic car and motorsport memorabilia from their private collection throughout the inn.
Heading up the kitchen is head chef Tristan Fitt. Working closely with local producers to create elevated pub classics, the menu at the Bryntirion includes chicken liver parfait with plum gel, chicken pie with baby vegetables and garlic and herb-infused pomme purée as well as Sunday roasts.
The bar menu offers a more casual experience, including a black pudding sausage roll with homemade brown sauce and Crispy Salt and Szechuan Pepper Squid with roasted garlic aioli.
Meanwhile, the drinks offer at the pub, which is positioned on the edge of Eryri National Park, champions Welsh craft drinks producers from local and regional suppliers.
Regarding the launch, Anthony Cooper-Barney said: “We are thrilled to introduce the Bryntirion Inn as the latest part of the Palé Hall Estate.
“This project is especially close to my heart – it has given me the perfect place to share my classic car collection, while creating a true village pub where locals can feel at home. With Tristan leading the kitchen, we are proud to offer a food and drink experience rooted in local produce and quality.
“The Bryntirion is about genuine hospitality, great food, and celebrating everything that makes this part of Wales so special.”
Punch expands leased & tenanted estate
Punch Pubs & Co has expanded its leased and tenanted estate with the acquisition of three pubs.
Most recently, the pubco procured the Engineers Arms in the rural village of Henlow, Bedfordshire.
The pub, which locally renowned operators Kevin and Sharon have run for 36 years, has joined Punch’s leased and tenanted estate.
Speaking about the acquisition, Punch head of acquisitions Andrew Cannons said: “This is an incredibly exciting acquisition, and we are thrilled that Kevin and Sharon will be joining the Punch family.
“As we continue with the transition, we look forward to getting to know the local community and upholding the stellar reputation that Kevin, Sharon and the team have created locally. I do not doubt that this fantastic pub will continue to thrive for many years to come.”
The community venue, affectionately known locally as ‘the Engine’, offers a range of real ales, ciders, continental lagers and 30 premium gins, as well as a variety of in-house entertainment, which Kevin and Sharon are keen to maintain.
Punch operations manager Lee Greenwood added: “I’m delighted to be working alongside Kevin, Sharon, and the team as they transition into the Punch family.
“The Engineers Arms is a fantastic pub that is well-loved in the community, thanks to Kevin and Sharon’s dedication and commitment over the last 36 years. Our priority is to ensure that the Engineers Arms will continue to run with the same spirit that Kevin and Sharon have created, including keeping their impressive range of cask ales.”
The second pub to join Punch’s leased and tenanted estate this month is the Ribs of Beef in Norwich.
Located on the banks of the River Wensum, publicans Roger and Anthea Cawdron have been at the helm of the Ribs of Beef for more than 40 years.
The traditional pub will be taken over by existing manager Jon Power and his partner, Jo Dale, who have worked alongside Roger and Anthea for the past eight years.
Regarding the Ribs of Beef acquisition, Cannons, said: “We are thrilled to expand our portfolio with this fantastic pub. The Ribs of Beef is a hot spot in the community, thanks to Roger and Anthea’s hard work and dedication over the last 40 years.
“I’m delighted Jon and Jo will continue to run the pub, and I have no doubt they will continue to succeed with our industry-leading investment and support for many years to come.”
The Ribs of Beef is renowned in the area for its riverside terrace and triangular garden, making it a suntrap in summer months, as well as its cask and craft offering.
Punch operations manager David Hill added: “The Ribs of Beef is a lovely pub with a fantastic following, and I’m really looking forward to working with Jon and Jo in continuing Roger and Anthea’s incredible legacy. I’m excited to see what the future has in store for here, and I look forward to updating the community in the coming months.”
The Burton-based pubco, which operates some 1,300 sites, also procured the Duke of Wellington pub in Wareham, Dorset, which also joined its leased and tenanted estate and will be run by existing publicans Mark, Laurice and the team.
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