Beckford Group opens first restaurant with rooms
Beckford Group has opened its first restaurant with rooms, launching Corsham House in Wiltshire with an 80-cover British brasserie, Beckford Bottle Shop and 11-bedroom hotel.
The latest opening marks a significant expansion for the hospitality group, which operates a collection of pubs and restaurants across the West Country, including the Michelin Bib Gourmand-holding Beckford Bottle Shop in Bath.
Head chef James Harris, who spent six years leading the Bath kitchen, has developed a British brasserie menu focused on West Country produce, alongside a 200-bin wine list with around 40 wines available by the glass and a connected bottle shop.
The Georgian property, which has been converted from a former bank, also includes 11 individually designed bedrooms. The Beckford Group said it aims for the hotel to operate as a carbon neutral property, powered by solar with battery storage.
Corsham House opened on 16 July with room rates starting from £150 per night.
JDW creates 100 jobs with Heathrow T2 opening
JD Wetherspoon (JDW) has opened its third Heathrow Airport pub, investing £3.5m in a new airside venue in Terminal 2 and creating 100 jobs.
The Sir Frank Whittle opened yesterday (21 July) and is the group’s 10th airport pub across the UK and Spain. The company has further airport openings planned at Manchester Airport in September and two sites at Barcelona Airport later this year and early 2027.
Named after the RAF officer and engineer credited with co-developing the turbojet engine, the pub will trade from 4am to 11pm daily, serving food until 10pm and offering real ales, traditional ciders and craft beers.
The new venue is managed by Tom Blacktop, formerly of the Beehive at Gatwick Airport, who said the team was looking forward to welcoming passengers travelling through Heathrow.
Shepherd Neame invests £200k in historic Kent hotel
Shepherd Neame has invested more than £200,000 in the refurbishment of the George Hotel in Cranbrook, with the Grade II-listed coaching inn reopening following the project.
The investment includes a new garden terrace created from part of the former car park, complete with an outdoor bar and a bespoke mural by local artist James Titchner, alongside refurbished dining and reception areas.
Dating back to around 1300, the 12-bedroom hotel is Cranbrook’s only remaining pub. General manager Duncan Moore said the improvements had created a new outdoor destination while preserving the building’s historic character.
Greene King reopens Westminster’s oldest pub
Greene King has reopened the Two Chairmen in Westminster following a six-figure refurbishment of the Grade II listed pub, which is believed to be the oldest in the area.
The Dartmouth Street site, known as the “Treasury’s local” due to its links with HM Treasury and the tradition of Chancellors of the Exchequer visiting after delivering the Budget, reopened this month under new manager Chloe Dabell.
The investment included a full internal and external refurbishment, covering the ground floor bar and the upstairs function room with its own bar.
Greene King’s chief strategy and experience officer Andrew Bush said: “The Two Chairmen is an iconic pub at the heart of Westminster and we’re delighted to have invested significantly in its refurbishment.
“For pubs to thrive, create jobs and provide great experiences for our customers, they need regular investment and we are pleased to have been able to undertake this refurbishment to secure the pub’s future for many years to come.”
The reopening was marked by a visit from chair of the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group and MP for Gower, Tonia Antoniazzi, who poured a pint of Greene King Abbot Ale to celebrate the investment.
Harry’s Bar lease sold as founder retires
The lease for Harry’s Bar in the City of London has been sold to a multi-site restaurant operator after founder Anis “Harry” Haddad decided to retire.
Located in Abchurch Yard near Cannon Street station, the venue has traded for many years under Haddad’s ownership and includes a 60-cover restaurant, an 18-seat basement bar and a 70-cover outdoor courtyard.
The business has been acquired by Savi Thakkar, who operates a number of restaurants across Greater London and plans to continue trading under the Harry’s Bar name.
Thakkar said: “We are very proud to have added Harry’s to our portfolio and will be aiming to increase our presence in the City.”
The lease was sold for an undisclosed sum.
NEOS to invest £1m in Birmingham Bonnie Rogues conversion
NEOS Hospitality is to invest £1m transforming its Birmingham city centre venue into a Bonnie Rogues, as part of its programme to convert former Revolution and Revolución de Cuba sites.
The former Revolución de Cuba will close this week (25 July) for a full refurbishment before reopening in September as a live entertainment led party bar.
The concept combines live music, sport, karaoke, food and drink, with trading spanning after work occasions, late night entertainment and weekend Sunday roasts.
Chief executive Russell Quelch said: “The continued rollout of Bonnie Rogues reflects our confidence in the strength of the concept and the opportunity we see in experience led hospitality.
“Birmingham is an important city for us, with Barbara’s Bier Haus already seeing great trade in the city, with Bonnies now forming part of our wider cluster strategy.”
Admiral invests £130k in community pub
Admiral Taverns has invested £130,000 in the Sportsman Arms in Redditch, with the community pub reopening following a refurbishment led by licensees Jo and Tony Wade.
The investment has delivered new fixtures and fittings throughout, an upgraded snug, a new darts area, five screens showing Sky and TNT Sports, plus improved external lighting, signage and an updated outdoor smoking area with festoon lighting.
The couple said the refurbishment had transformed the pub while retaining its role as a community local. Going forward, they plan to introduce regular live music, establish a darts team and host fundraising events.
Experienced operator acquires Suffolk gastropub
The Wagon in Sudbury has been sold to experienced operator Priyanka Georgy, who already owns and operates the Green Man Inn in Woodbridge.
The well-known Suffolk gastropub, which was marketed through Christie & Co, was sold off a freehold asking price of £550,000.
Vendor John Holberry said the sale would allow him to focus on expanding Nethergate Brewery, while maintaining a relationship with the pub under its new ownership.
Georgy said she planned to build on the Wagon’s established reputation while continuing its partnership with Nethergate Brewery.
South Downs country pub on market for £990k
The freehold of the Royal Oak, a Grade II-listed 17th century pub in the South Downs National Park, has been brought to market with a guide price of £990,000.
The West Sussex pub, near Midhurst, offers around 70 internal covers and space for a further 200 guests in its gardens, alongside owners’ accommodation, a commercial kitchen and parking for around 55 vehicles.
Owner Frankie Swan, who acquired the lease six years ago before buying the freehold in 2025, said turnover had more than doubled during her ownership and highlighted further growth potential due to the pub’s size and location near attractions including Cowdray Estate and Goodwood.
Fleurets is handling the sale, with divisional director Nick Earee describing the business as “an exceptional opportunity” with a strong reputation for food, service and hospitality.
Joule’s rebrands Birmingham canalside pub
Joule’s Brewery has unveiled plans to transform its Birmingham canalside pub Waterside Tap into Gas Street Vaults, which will become the independent brewer’s Birmingham brewery tap.
The Shropshire brewer acquired the former Bistrot Pierre site last year and said it had spent the past 12 months operating the venue to understand the building and local market before committing to its long-term vision.
The repositioned pub will feature a central bar, spaces inspired by Birmingham’s industrial heritage and Victorian taverns, alongside Joule’s beers, classic British pub food and Sunday roasts.
Managing director Vicky Colclough said: “Spending the past year in the building has given us the confidence to move forward and create the pub we always believed it could become.”
The project will also see the venue move from its current operation to a managed house model, with recruitment due to begin for management, kitchen and front of house roles.
The redevelopment follows the departure of operators George and Tori, who have moved to run Joule’s newly opened Red Lion in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter.
Gas Street Vaults is expected to open in early 2027.
Sussex country pub on market for £695k
The freehold of the Coach and Horses, a Grade II-listed country pub in the High Weald National Landscape, has been brought to market with a guide price of £695,000.
The East Sussex pub has been owned by the current operators for almost 28 years and includes 52 internal covers, extensive gardens seating around 100 guests, a 30-cover patio, owners’ accommodation and parking for around 20 vehicles.
The owners are selling the business as they retire, with Fleurets highlighting scope to extend trading hours, increase turnover and introduce letting accommodation.
Proper Pubs invests £287k in Littlehampton reopening
Proper Pubs has invested more than £287,000 in the Crown in Littlehampton, with the community pub reopening under operators Toby Guise and Michelle King.
The refurbishment has delivered new flooring, fixtures and fittings, an upgraded bar and snug, new darts boards and a pool table, plus Sky and TNT Sports screens. Outside, the investment includes new signage, lighting and a refurbished 25-cover beer garden.
Guise said Admiral Taverns had helped create a pub that better serves the local community, adding that feedback from customers since reopening had been “fantastic”.
The operators plan to introduce a programme of karaoke, live music and community fundraising, including foodbank collections and charity events.
Surrey Hills country pub lease hits market for £150k
The leasehold of the Well House Inn in the Surrey Hills has been brought to market with an asking price of £150,000.
The historic country pub, located in Mugswell, offers around 80 internal covers, an 80-capacity outdoor function space with its own bar, extensive gardens, owners’ accommodation across two flats and parking.
The current tenant, who has operated the pub since 2018, is selling the lease to focus on expanding its sister business Fresh Connect.
Christie & Co, which is handling the sale, said the pub’s established trading, destination location and extensive outdoor space made it a rare opportunity for experienced operators seeking a turnkey countryside business.
Proper Pubs invests £374k in Chesterfield community pub
Proper Pubs has reopened the Three Horseshoes in Chesterfield following a £374,401 refurbishment.
The investment has delivered new flooring, fixtures and fittings throughout, alongside an upgraded bar and snug, six screens showing Sky and TNT Sports, plus a new darts board and pool table.
Externally, the pub has been repainted and fitted with new signage and lighting, while the beer garden has also been refurbished.
The site is operated by Will and Rob Bown, who bring a combined 22 years of hospitality experience. Will Bown said the reaction from local customers had been “amazing” since reopening.
Admiral invests £192k in Castle Hedingham community pub
Admiral Taverns has invested £192,000 in the refurbishment of the Wheatsheaf Inn in Castle Hedingham, which reopened last week (17 July).
The community pub has been refurbished with a new bar and snug area, updated fixtures and fittings, a games area with darts, two Sky and TNT Sports screens and two refurbished outdoor patios providing seating for around 80 customers.
The site will be operated by new licensee Greg Morgan, who brings 20 years of hospitality experience to the role.
Morgan said: “I’m absolutely thrilled with the refurbishment. Every detail has been carefully considered to ensure that The Wheatsheaf Inn feels fresh and exciting while still retaining the warmth and character that makes this place so special for the community.”
