PROPERTY: Shepherd Neame to launch new London bar

Shepherd Neame is transforming the basement of the historic Jamaica Wine House in the City of London into a new cocktail and events venue.

The Jamaica Clubhouse will open on 22 September, replacing the existing Todd’s Wine Bar beneath the pub in St Michael’s Alley, near Monument.

The 80 capacity venue will retain its Victorian features while introducing dark red interiors, velvet seating and a new cocktail menu alongside Shepherd Neame beers, wines and spirits.

The space will also host a programme of “Cellar Sessions”, including live acoustic music, beer and wine tastings and cocktail making workshops, and will be available for private hire with 40 seated covers.

Shepherd Neame director of retail operations Shane Godwin said: “This project is about enhancing the site rather than changing what people love about it. The pub upstairs will retain its much loved character, while the new Jamaica Clubhouse will give customers another way to enjoy this iconic location.”

The Jamaica Wine House traces its history to 1652, when the site became home to London’s first coffee house, before later evolving into a tavern and becoming the Jamaica Wine House in 1869.

Great British Menu chef to open Shepherd’s Bush pub

Great British Menu chef Avinash Shashidhara is set to open a new 120 cover pub in Shepherd’s Bush this September.

Talli Queen will occupy the former Queen Adelaide on Uxbridge Road, combining the traditions of a London pub with Indian food and drinking culture.

Shashidhara, whose former Fitzrovia restaurant Pahli Hill earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand, has also spent a decade at The River Café and won the starter course on Great British Menu in 2023.

The pub will feature a wraparound central bar, open kitchen, dining room and landscaped terrace, with 18 draught lines including cask ales and stout. Indian spirits, cocktails and wines will also form part of the drinks offer.

Food will take inspiration from Kerala’s toddy shops, Bangalore’s neighbourhood pubs and southern Indian military canteens, with a custom charcoal grill and tandoor at the centre of the kitchen. Sundays will feature an Indian interpretation of the traditional pub roast.

Shashidhara will be joined by operations director James McLean, whose previous experience includes The Oarsman in Marlow. The new pub will open in September.

Cosy Club to make airport debut at Bristol

Cosy Club is set to make its airport debut at Bristol Airport as part of the next phase of the airport’s £400m transformation.

The Loungers brand will open next summer and will be operated by TRG Concessions, offering its all day menu with produce from West Country suppliers.

The opening will form part of four new additions to the departure lounge, alongside Bill’s, wagamama and SSP’s new Tap + Brew bar and kitchen.

Tap + Brew will open next autumn with a drinks led offer including craft beer and cider from Bristol brewer Wiper and True, alongside cocktails and low and no alcohol options.

Loungers chief executive Nick Collins said the group was “really excited” to bring Cosy Club to the airport, adding its menu would represent a “real step up in terms of choice for travellers”.

Joseph Holt invests £350k in Cheshire pub

Joseph Holt has invested £350,000 in the Angel in Knutsford, expanding the historic pub’s accommodation offer.

The refurbishment has increased the Grade II listed pub’s bedroom count from eight to 12, alongside a wider refresh of its dining and drinking areas.

The Angel forms part of the Manchester brewer’s Hotels by Holt’s collection, which combines traditional pubs with accommodation across the North West.

Joseph Holt director of pubs Mark Norbury said the investment came as more visitors sought “the warm and welcoming atmosphere of traditional pub accommodation”.

St Neots waterfront pub on market for £695k

The Rivermill in St Neots, Cambridgeshire, has been brought to market with a freehold asking price of £695,000.

The food led pub and restaurant, which sits on the banks of the River Great Ouse, features around 100 internal covers, including a 70 cover first floor dining space and cocktail bar, alongside an extensive riverside terrace.

Owners Doug and Collette Barnes, who opened the business in 2016, are selling ahead of retirement.

Christie & Co business agent Liana Gatier described the site as a “fantastic waterfront pub and restaurant” with a strong local reputation and destination appeal.

Historic Leeds watermill to reopen with pub

Thwaite Mills in Leeds has been acquired by four new owners who plan to restore the historic site and reopen it with a pub, café and working museum.

Will Habergham, Terry George, Michael Rothwell and Kirk Allen have taken ownership of the Grade II listed watermill, which has been closed since April 2024.

A 12 month restoration is now beginning, with plans including canalside seating and landscaped grounds, followed longer term by a beer garden, weddings and small music events.

Director Will Habergham said the restoration would involve the local community, adding: “We want people watching it happen, turning up, and telling us what they want this place to be.”

No reopening date has yet been confirmed.

Shepherd Neame invests in Bromley FC bars

Shepherd Neame has refurbished the Ravens’ Nest bar at Bromley Football Club following the extension of its pouring rights partnership until 2032.

The fan zone container bar has been given new Spitfire Lager branding and serves a range of the brewer’s beers and cider alongside wines, spirits and soft drinks.

The project has been delivered alongside three new bars in the club’s new George Wakeling Stand, which accommodates almost 3,000 supporters.

Shepherd Neame chief executive Jonathan Neame said the investment reflected its “long-term commitment to the club and its supporters”.

Historic Kent pub on market for £1.25m

The Grasshopper on the Green in Westerham, Kent, has been brought to market for the first time in more than 30 years.

The 16th century freehouse, which has been under the same family ownership since 1987, features three bars, a dining room, pub garden and car park.

Christie & Co is marketing the business freehold for £1.25m, including fixtures, fittings and goodwill.

Senior director Simon Chaplin said its mix of food and drink, local following and commuter belt location was expected to attract interest from pub operators and prospective owners.

Shepherd Neame invests £50k in Carshalton pub

Shepherd Neame has invested £50,000 refurbishing the function space at the Windsor Castle in Carshalton, with the venue now licensed to host wedding ceremonies.

The Cottage, which seats up to 48 guests, has received new flooring, furniture, lighting and décor alongside upgraded audio and projector equipment, air conditioning and improvements to its private bar.

The investment also includes external redecoration, new signage and lighting, as well as structural roof timber treatment.

The Windsor Castle dates back to 1860 and was previously refurbished by Shepherd Neame in 2023. The Cottage will cater for weddings alongside private parties, business meetings and community events.

Punch invests £490k in North Yorkshire pub

Punch Pubs & Co is investing £490,000 in the refurbishment of the Buck Inn in Thornton le Dale, North Yorkshire, ahead of its reopening under a new management partner.

The pub is undergoing an internal and external revamp, including improvements to its dining room, kitchen and rear walled beer garden, while existing fireplaces, bars and other character features will be retained.

Adrian McShane-Chapman will take the helm following the refurbishment, marking his first pub after previously working in hospitality before spending 17 years in HR.

McShane-Chapman said his ambition was to make The Buck Inn “the destination pub of North Yorkshire and the local community’s lounge room”.

The pub is scheduled to reopen in the coming weeks.

19th century Lincolnshire pub on market for £495k

The Becketts in Corringham, Lincolnshire, has been brought to market with a freehold asking price of £495,000.

Originally a 19th century farmhouse, the country pub features a large dining area, beer garden and terrace, four en suite bedrooms requiring renovation and a two bedroom owner’s flat.

The owners are selling after nearly 30 years at the pub, with the property available with vacant possession from February 2027.

Christie & Co associate director Alex Rex said the site had “so much potential” and expected it to attract serious interest.

Brewhouse & Kitchen trials local concept

Brewhouse & Kitchen is trialling a more localised pub model in Bristol with the launch of The Merchant of Cotham, replacing its existing Brewhouse & Kitchen site on Cotham Hill.

The venue will retain its on site brewery but move away from the group’s usual branding in favour of a more locally rooted offer shaped around Bristol suppliers, breweries and producers.

Chief executive Kris Gumbrell said the site would act as a test for a more “hyper independent” approach, with local partners including Bristol Beer Factory, Left Handed Giant, Lost & Grounded and Wiper & True.

He said: “We want to really build something that’s much more relevant to its local market.”

The opening forms part of a wider push by the group towards experience led trading, with brewing, masterclasses and beer experiences remaining central to the offer.

Gumbrell said the company would assess the performance of The Merchant of Cotham before deciding whether to introduce the model at other sites.

£170k revamp for Walkden community pub

The Vulcan Inn in Walkden has reopened following a £170,000 joint investment from Admiral Taverns and licensees Jo Mullineux and Gary Ingham.

The refurbishment includes an updated bar and games area, new darts facilities and 22 televisions showing Sky and TNT Sports. Its 70 cover outdoor area has also been upgraded, with new furniture and two additional screens.

Mullineux and Ingham have been at the pub for more than 20 years and will continue to position it as a community focused venue, with live music, quizzes, darts and fundraising events.

Darlington venue acquired for new Irish bar

Number One Bar & Coffee House in Darlington has been acquired by newly formed D & J Pub Group ahead of its conversion into an Irish bar.

The five storey, Grade II listed property offers around 200 covers, with the upper floors also benefiting from planning permission for seven apartments.

The venue will continue trading as Number One until 1 September before undergoing a major refurbishment and reopening as Grace Kelly’s Irish Bar in late September or early October.

The new concept will feature daily live music and DJs, with late opening at weekends.

Christie & Co completed the sale for an undisclosed sum against a £650,000 freehold asking price.

NEOS to convert Leeds Revolución de Cuba into Barbara’s

NEOS Hospitality is set to convert its Revolución de Cuba site in Leeds into its seventh Barbara’s Bier Haus.

The city centre venue will close for a major refurbishment before reopening in October as the alpine themed party bar concept.

The conversion forms part of NEOS’s ongoing repositioning of selected sites following its acquisition of multiple Revolution and Revolución de Cuba venues earlier this year.

Chief executive Russell Quelch said Barbara’s had “continued to perform strongly across the estate”, with Leeds following the opening of its sixth site in Southampton on 21 August.

Admiral invests £134k in Swadlincote pub

Admiral Taverns and licensee Dom Knight have invested £134,000 in the refurbishment of the Drum & Monkey in Swadlincote.

The pub has received new fixtures, fittings and furniture, alongside two upgraded beer gardens providing combined seating for up to 130 people.

Knight, who took over the pub in May, will also introduce a new food menu alongside live music, DJs and community fundraising events.

Admiral Taverns business development manager Richard Skinner said the investment had left the pub “even better positioned to serve the area”.