St Austell reopens Dartmouth pub after ‘transformational’ refurbishment
Last week, St Austell Brewery reopened one of Dartmouth’s most recognisable landmarks, the Royal Castle, following a nine-month restoration.
The 17th-century harbourfront pub has been “sensitively restored to its former glory,” according to St Austell Brewery chief operating officer Andrew Turner, who said the project represents the company’s ongoing commitment to preserving and enhancing its 45-strong managed pub estate across the South West.
“The transformation of the Royal Castle is a proud milestone in our commitment to investing in iconic pubs in great locations,” Turner told The Morning Advertiser (The MA).
“Striking the right balance between heritage and modernity was central to our approach. We worked closely with conservation experts to ensure every decision respected the building’s architectural integrity and storied past.”
The extensive works saw listed timber panelling and Victorian windows restored, with original features reused and repurposed throughout.
All 24 bedrooms were redesigned, drawing on the colours and textures of Dartmouth’s coastal landscape, while a series of refreshed bar and dining spaces now “cater for every occasion”, from the casual Dory Lounge and the open-fired Ketch Bar to the upstairs Sloop bar and private dining room.
Head chef Iain Aldous leads the kitchen team, serving dishes including pan-roasted pigeon, steamed cider mussels, and a locally landed catch of the day.
Turner added that the renovation forms part of a wider pipeline of investment:
“The Royal Castle marks our seventh major refurbishment in three years, following projects at the Wellington in Boscastle, the Pier House in Charlestown and the Pedn Olva in St Ives. Continuing to strengthen our managed and tenanted estates through targeted investment remains central to our long-term growth strategy.”
The Royal Castle reopens with its full team under general manager Matthew McKinley-Booton, ready to welcome locals and visitors to the South West landmark once again.
Thwaites acquires The Blue Bell Cider House, Earlswood
Family-run brewer and pub operator Daniel Thwaites has acquired The Blue Bell Cider House in Earlswood, Solihull.
The traditional canalside pub, once owned by the Bulmers family, will continue to trade as normal under Thwaites ownership. The site was one of the original cider houses to ferment its own apples on site and today serves local craft ales alongside traditional pub food.
Thwaites also operates The Bull’s Head in the same village, where it invested more than £600k earlier this year to create a new bar, restaurant, and private dining space.
Thwaites’ chairman Rick Bailey said: “The Blue Bell is a brilliant pub, with a unique cider heritage and a fabulous reputation locally for its honest and hearty food and lovely canalside setting.
We have no immediate plans to change much, other than to find new and interesting ciders to expand the range even further and cut its prices to reward its loyal regulars with even better value for money.”
Damm inaugurates The Eagle Brewery in Bedford following £70m investment
Damm, Spain’s largest brewing company, has officially opened The Damm Eagle Brewery in Bedford, marking its first brewing facility outside the Iberian Peninsula.
The company has invested more than £70m in the modernisation of the historic site since acquiring it in 2022.
The upgraded facility includes a new canning line, an additional brewstream, and advanced technology designed to enhance efficiency and sustainability. The investment has nearly doubled brewing capacity to 1.8 million hectolitres per year, with a target of reaching 2 million hectolitres by 2027.
The Bedford site will continue production of Estrella Damm, which has been brewed locally since spring 2024 to meet growing UK demand. Damm has also diversified production to include soft drinks and new beverage formats, supported by a syrup-handling system that enables “beyond beer” manufacturing.
Damm MD Jorge Villavecchia said: “Our commitment goes beyond capital investment. We are bringing skills, innovation and a vision of how industry must evolve to remain competitive: more digital, more sustainable, more resilient.”
The expansion has tripled Damm’s UK workforce in three years, growing from 56 to 180 employees, and is expected to double again as part of a new accelerator programme to support start-ups and drinks businesses in innovation and production.
Thornbridge to open flagship Sheffield bar in former Yorkshire Bank building
Thornbridge & Co will open its new flagship venue, The Fargate, in one of Sheffield’s most prominent city centre buildings on 22 October.
Set within the former Yorkshire Bank building, the bar combines the elegance of the site’s heritage architecture with a carefully designed interior.
The ground floor features a horseshoe bar serving 10 cask ales – half from Thornbridge – and 16 draft beer lines, alongside screened booths, a snug, and full-height front glazing.
Upstairs, a pizza kitchen with an Italian corner oven sits at the centre of a lighter, contemporary dining space with reclaimed timber walls, decorated ceilings, and views towards Sheffield City Hall. Seating includes leather banquettes and informal benches for larger groups.
Thornbridge director Jamie Hawksworth said: “The Fargate is on track to become a defining feature of Sheffield’s pub scene, thanks to a large investment in its unique design. We’re delighted to help shape the vibrant new era of the city centre.”
Thornbridge CEO and co-founder Simon Webster added: “We’re eager to open our doors to the people of Sheffield and contribute to the continued growth and character of the area.”
Heartwood Inns opens The Old Crown, Great Bookham
Heartwood Inns has opened its 34th pub, The Old Crown in Great Bookham, following a comprehensive refurbishment to restore the building’s heritage character and introduce Heartwood’s signature style.
The transformation has created a 260-cover interior and 100-cover garden, combining original features with a contemporary design that reflects the brand’s focus on comfort and community.
The bar and dining spaces have been reconfigured to improve flow and visibility, while new furnishings and finishes reflect a lighter, more open feel.
The kitchen, led by head chef Sorin Mihalache, serves a seasonally changing, sustainably sourced menu showcasing Heartwood’s commitment to provenance and quality. Dishes are paired with a drinks list that includes local cask ales, premium wines, and cocktails.
Heartwood CEO Richard Ferrier said: “We are thrilled to be opening our 34th pub in the wonderful community of Great Bookham. The Old Crown is a truly special pub, and we’ve taken great care to create a warm and welcoming space for everyone to enjoy. We look forward to becoming a cornerstone of the local community.”
Admiral Taverns invests £125k in The Boilermaker’s Arms, St Helens
The Boilermaker’s Arms in St Helens will reopen following a £125k joint investment from Admiral Taverns and long-standing licensees Gordon and Jonathan Woodward.
The Houghton Road pub has been fully refurbished inside and out to create a fresh, modern feel while retaining its traditional character. Upgrades include new flooring, fixtures, and fittings throughout, alongside a dedicated games room featuring a pool table, dartboard, and six large screens showing sports.
Externally, the pub now features new lighting, signage, and four wooden benches to create a year-round outdoor area.
Licensees Gordon and Jonathan Woodward, who have run the pub for 13 years, said they were “thrilled” with the transformation and eager to welcome the community back.
Jonathan added: “We’re just getting those final finishing touches in place before we welcome the community back through our doors. We’ve loved every minute of our time here at The Boilermaker’s Arms and can’t thank everyone enough, including our fantastic customers and the team at Admiral Taverns, for their ongoing support.”
The father-and-son team will continue to focus on community-led programming, including domino evenings, pool nights, karaoke, and weekly live music.
Admiral Taverns’ business development manager Ashleigh Kirk said: “Jonathan and Gordon have truly poured their heart and soul into this pub. Their dedication to creating a welcoming, community-focused venue is clear to see, and we wish them every success for the future.”
Vagabond opens new Liverpool Street bar as part of Broadgate redevelopment
Vagabond Wines has opened its newest self-pour wine bar beside Liverpool Street Station, forming part of British Land’s Broadgate development.
The site offers more than 100 wines by the glass, using Vagabond’s self-pour system and in-app tasting tools, alongside a food menu built for sharing.
Located close to the Broadgate campus, Spitalfields Market, and Shoreditch, the bar is designed to capture both weekday city trade and weekend leisure visitors.
The Liverpool Street opening follows Vagabond’s new flagship at St Paul’s, which launched in September, and marks continued expansion under the Majestic Wine Group, backed by owner Fortress Investment. The group plans to double Vagabond’s footprint in the coming years through selective city openings and partnerships with major property developers.
Vagabond MD Christobell Giles said: “We’re thrilled to be opening in the heart of the City, surrounded by so many people who already know and love the brand from our Shoreditch and Monument sites. Liverpool Street gives us the chance to reach new audiences right at the centre of London’s energy.”
As part of its wider growth strategy, Vagabond will open a 6,000 sq ft urban winery at Canada Water next month. The facility will produce up to 100,000 bottles over five years and include a bar, shop, and 200-capacity event space.
Majestic Wine Group executive chairman and CEO John Colley added: “This opening forms part of a major multi-site expansion plan, with millions being invested to grow Vagabond as a key part of the Majestic Wine Group.”
Camerons Brewery to open Head of Steam in Manchester city centre
Camerons Brewery has announced plans to open a new Head of Steam venue in Manchester city centre later this year, marking the 16th site for the brand and its first since the opening of Leeds Park Row in 2019.
The 2,800 sq ft venue will accommodate around 180 guests with seating for 120, creating 14 new jobs.
The opening forms part of Camerons Brewery’s national expansion strategy following its 2024 refinance, with a focus on sustainable site investment and design-led development.
Camerons Brewery CEO Chris Soley said: “It’s fantastic that The Head of Steam and Camerons Brewery are back on the expansion trail. Following our successful refinance in 2024, we are delighted that The Head of Steam Manchester will be the first venue to open on this next stage of growth.”
The venue will feature 30 beer lines – 24 keg and six cask – alongside a rotating selection of cans and bottles from UK and international breweries.
Additional features include augmented reality darts, live sports across six screens, and a new food concept operated in partnership with a local business.
Camerons Brewery retail director David Scott added: “Manchester has been our number one target city for some time, and we are pleased to have finally found a venue that matches both our design vision and our demographic.”
PINS Social Club to open 25,000 sq ft venue in Manchester
PINS Social Club has confirmed plans to open a major new venue in Manchester’s Grade II-listed Sunlight House in late spring 2026.
The 25,000 sq ft site will span three floors of the Quay Street building, which is currently being refurbished as part of a £35m restoration by owner Karrev.
The development will mark PINS’ first venue outside Liverpool and one of Manchester’s largest new hospitality openings in recent years.
The venue will include a main stage for live shows, tenpin bowling with VIP lanes, a gaming mezzanine offering darts, pool, shuffleboard, beer pong, and karaoke, plus a dedicated sports bar. Food will be served from breakfast through to late night, and the space will cater for both competitive socialising and live sports audiences.
Founded by Daniel Gillbanks and David Scowcroft, PINS opened its first site in Liverpool in 2020. The group has since expanded under managing director Daniel Kelly, adding the Dog & Collar Pub and Almost Famous to its growing D2 portfolio.
Gillbanks said: “Our vision is centred around the guest – delivering an immersive experience that unites competitive socialising, live entertainment and a strong programme of sports.”
Kelly added: “Manchester is a city that thrives on energy, culture and community – everything that PINS is about. This will be our biggest venue yet, purpose built for entertainment and competition.”
Julien Buronfosse, managing director at Karrev, said the partnership would support Sunlight House’s repositioning as a mixed-use community hub following its redevelopment.
East Anglian multiple operators begin £1m refurbishment of The Plough, Elstree
Multiple operators the Haslam family have taken a Star Pubs & Bars lease on The Plough in Elstree, Hertfordshire.
The project, backed financially by Star Pubs, represents a £1m six-month refurbishment and will return the site to its original name and use as a pub after nine years of closure.
Work began last week and will increase the building’s internal space by around 25%, creating a new bar area with casual seating, a former stable converted for private dining for 25, and a 35-cover restaurant overlooking the garden.
Externally, plans include seating for 400 guests, a deck with four six-seater pods, an outdoor bar and toilets, a children’s play area, cinema, and an extended car park with electric-vehicle charging points. Around 30 jobs will be created when the pub reopens in spring 2026.
Steve Haslam said: “We’re looking forward to giving the Elstree community a pub once again. If it wasn’t for Star Pubs’ support, we wouldn’t be doing this project. They’ve made it possible to revive The Plough.”
Haslam added that further expansion of the family’s eight-strong estate would depend on wider Government support for the hospitality sector.
Star Pubs & Bars investment manager Nick Paul said: “The Plough is in a fantastic location and will be a welcome addition. The Haslam family have extensive experience turning around pubs and creating great social environments, and I’ve no doubt they’ll do so again with this project.”
Electric Bear Brewing Co. opens The Cub Taproom in Bath
Electric Bear Brewing Co. has opened The Cub Taproom in Bath’s Shires Yard, marking the independent brewery’s first city-centre venue.
Located at 14-15 Milsom Place, the new site extends the brewery’s presence beyond its original Brassmill Lane home, where it has operated for the past decade.
The Cub will serve Electric Bear’s full range of craft beers, including IPAs, sours, and stouts such as Werrrd!, Mixtape, Tondo, and Unruly AF.
The new venue is designed as a relaxed, community-focused space for locals and visitors to enjoy fresh beer directly from the source. It will open seven days a week, from 12pm to 10pm Sunday to Wednesday, and until midnight from Thursday to Saturday.
Electric Bear Brewing Co’s operations and marketing manager Libby Baggett said: “This is a seriously exciting step for our independent brewery as we venture into the city centre. Over the past decade, the Electric Bear Taproom has established itself as an inclusive community hub. Now we’re growing our family with the birth of The Cub and hope to reach more people with our ‘glad to be alive’ vibe in the centre of Bath.”