Stonegate has reopened the Two Brewers in Clapham following a six-figure refurbishment.
The LGBTQIA+ venue, which has operated since 1981, has undergone upgrades to its interior and exterior, including a new red frontage and redesigned bar and club spaces.
The front bar now features an open layout, new seating and a rebuilt stage for cabaret performances, while the back room has been transformed into a dedicated club space with upgraded lighting.
The refurbishment also includes the introduction of a weekday £5 happy hour, running from 5pm to 9pm.
Stonegate said the investment was aimed at modernising the venue while retaining its longstanding role within London’s LGBTQIA+ community.
Shepherd Neame refurbishes historic City of London pub
Shepherd Neame has reopened the East India Arms on Fenchurch Street following a refurbishment as part of its ongoing investment in its London estate.
The historic pub, which dates back to 1829, has undergone interior improvements including new furniture, artwork and decoration, with further upgrades to its exterior and signage planned.
Experienced general manager Tara Bossert has taken over the site, which will also open at weekends for the first time to attract more tourists and leisure visitors.
Allsopp’s Brewery owner takes on Maida Vale pub
Jamie Allsopp, owner of the Blue Stoops and Allsopp’s Brewery, has taken on The Warrington Hotel in Maida Vale, London, with plans to reopen the Grade II listed pub in spring 2027.
The historic property, which dates back to 1857, is undergoing an extensive refurbishment, including the restoration of its ground floor public and saloon bars, a new pub garden and ten refurbished hotel bedrooms.
A new first floor restaurant, Minnie’s, will also open as part of the redevelopment, serving an Anglo-French menu.
Former Dorian chef Max Taylor-Baggs will oversee both kitchens, while former Kerfield Arms operator Mark Angell joins as head of operations.
The project will retain the building’s original features, including decorative tiles, mosaic flooring and marble fireplaces.
Kent restaurateur acquires Faversham pub
Restaurateur Dev Biswal has acquired the Phoenix Tavern in Faversham, Kent, with plans to relaunch its food offer and create 12 jobs.
The 14th century Abbey Street pub, which has continued trading for drinks following the closure of its kitchen six months ago, will reopen for drinks on 20 November, with full food service resuming on 1 December.
Biswal, who operates The Cook’s Tale and Marrakesh Café in Canterbury, plans to introduce a menu combining traditional British pub dishes with Indian cuisine using local Kent produce.
The historic property features original oak beams, an inglenook fireplace and an enclosed walled garden, with a family letting room set to become available from the New Year.
The relaunch will also create 12 trainee positions, with Biswal providing hospitality training through his Canterbury kitchen.
Punch acquires Gainsborough pub
Punch Pubs & Co has expanded its estate with the acquisition of the Canute in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire.
The pub, located in the town centre near the River Trent, is set to undergo a significant refurbishment in early 2027.
Punch said the investment would focus on upgrading the venue’s facilities and drinks offer, alongside introducing live sport and entertainment.
Amber Taverns invests £3m in Newcastle city centre pub
Amber Taverns has acquired the former Magpie premises in Newcastle city centre as part of a £3m investment to create a new sports and entertainment pub.
The Gander, located in the Haymarket area near St James’ Park, is set to open in early December following an extensive refurbishment, creating up to 30 jobs.
The redevelopment includes a complete internal strip-out, upgraded facilities and a new audiovisual system for live sport, alongside a purpose-built stage for live music.
The venue will also feature pool, three darts areas and a soundproofed private karaoke suite for up to 20 guests, complete with its own bar and toilets.
Experienced operators David and Donna Molloy will run the site under Amber Taverns’ operator-managed model.
The acquisition marks Amber Taverns’ entry into Newcastle city centre as the group continues its expansion across the North East.
East London Brewing Co to open Walthamstow pub
East London Brewing Co is set to open the Black Horse Tap in Walthamstow on 27 November as it expands its hospitality operations.
The new pub, located above the brewery’s production facilities on the Blackhorse Beer Mile, has 80 indoor and 80 outdoor covers, alongside a dedicated open-fire kitchen and terrace.
The venue will feature a bar serving the brewery’s cask and keg beers, alongside cocktails, wines and spirits, with a kitchen residency from Play With Fire running until the end of the year.
The opening follows the brewery’s relocation to a 22,000 sq ft site in April, which more than doubled its production capacity and introduced a taproom, shop and 1,500-capacity events space.
Owner Ronnie Finch, who also operates several East London pubs, is planning further hospitality partnerships in 2027.
Admiral and licensee invest £313k in Bridlington pub
Admiral Taverns and licensee D&A Pub Group have invested £313,000 in the refurbishment of the Seabirds in Bridlington.
The pub has reopened following an extensive refurbishment, including new furniture, flooring, fixtures and fittings, alongside redesigned bar and carvery areas.
Outside, the pub has received new signage, exterior decoration and improvements to its beer garden.
Managers Sarah and Matt Beckett will oversee the venue, which has introduced an updated food menu, including Sunday carvery, alongside regular live music, quizzes, darts and pool.
Amber Taverns invests £1.4m in Thornaby pub conversion
Amber Taverns has opened the Aviator in Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees, following a £1.4m investment to convert two former retail units into a pub.
The venue, located in The Pavilion Shopping Centre, opened on 9 November, creating 14 jobs.
The conversion includes a 5m by 3m sports screen, seven additional televisions and dedicated pool and darts areas, alongside live sports coverage.
The Aviator is operated by Daniel Scott, who has 23 years of hospitality experience and leads a team of 14 employees.
Punch acquires Chippenham pub
Punch Pubs & Co has expanded its estate with the acquisition of the Flying Monk in Chippenham, Wiltshire.
The pub will undergo a refurbishment in early 2027 before joining Punch’s Unity Social division.
Punch said the investment would focus on updating the pub’s interiors while retaining its existing character and community appeal.
Vagabond opens 15th UK site in Brighton
Vagabond has opened its 15th UK venue in Brighton as the wine bar operator accelerates its expansion beyond London.
The 2,980 sq ft Duke Street site, formerly occupied by Browns Brasserie, is the brand’s first new high street opening outside the capital since Birmingham in 2021.
The venue features Vagabond’s signature self-pour machines offering more than 100 wines by the glass, alongside a new bar, private dining room and seasonal food menu.
The opening marks Vagabond’s third new venue this year, with its estate growing from nine to 15 sites over the past 18 months.
Purity Brewing refurbishes Birmingham taproom
Purity Brewing Co has reopened its Birmingham taproom following a refurbishment and rebrand.
The venue, formerly known as Purecraft Bar & Kitchen, reopened as Purity Bar & Kitchen on 6 November, with upgrades to its interior and outdoor spaces.
The refurbishment includes a new downstairs Cellar Bar featuring a dedicated bar, American pool table and augmented reality darts, with the space also available for private hire.
The venue has also introduced a new food partnership with Birmingham-based Bad Boy Wings, which will operate the kitchen and offer a menu of wings, burgers and other dishes.
The site, which first opened in 2014, will continue operating as Purity Brewing Co’s flagship Birmingham taproom.
Former employee acquires lease of historic Surrey pub
The lease of the Withies Inn in Compton, Surrey, has been acquired by former employee Ivan Husarik for an undisclosed sum.
Dating back to the 16th century, the Grade II listed pub features a 120 cover bar and restaurant alongside seven letting bedrooms.
The property also includes a heated covered patio and beer garden providing more than 100 additional covers, as well as a 10 space car park.
Husarik, who previously worked at the pub, plans to build on its established food and drink offer while retaining its traditional character.
Christie & Co handled the transaction, which was completed under a new free of tie lease agreement.
Cambscuisine to reopen Essex village pub in 2027
Cambridgeshire-based pub and restaurant operator Cambscuisine has announced plans to reopen the Plough in Great Chesterford, Essex, in spring 2027.
The hospitality operator has confirmed the village pub as its next venue, with work planned ahead of its reopening.
Cambscuisine said it has a number of plans for the site, with further details about the refurbishment and pub offering to be announced over the coming months.
The opening will mark the latest addition to the group’s growing portfolio of pubs and restaurants.
Proper Pubs invests £216k in Grimsby pub
Proper Pubs has reopened the Hope & Anchor in Grimsby following an investment of more than £216,000.
The Victoria Street pub reopened last month following a refurbishment, including a redesigned bar area, new seating, lighting, flooring and televisions.
The interior has also been reconfigured to create a more open layout, while the beer garden has been upgraded with new furniture alongside improvements to the pub’s exterior and signage.
Experienced operator Darren Smith has taken on the site and will introduce regular live music, karaoke, quizzes, darts and pool.
Proper Pubs invests £698k in Doncaster pub
Proper Pubs has reopened the Alverley Inn in Doncaster following an investment of more than £698,000.
The Springwell Lane pub reopened on 29 October following an extensive refurbishment, including a transformed first floor, redesigned lounge bar and new lighting, flooring, furniture and televisions.
The investment has also introduced upgraded darts and pool facilities, alongside improvements to the beer garden, exterior decoration, signage and roof repairs.
Experienced operator Beverley Cooper has taken on the site and will introduce regular live music, karaoke, quizzes and live sport.
Scottish pub on market for offers over £475k
The Feathers Inn in Campbeltown, Scotland, has been brought to market with a freehold asking price of offers over £475,000.
Located on Cross Street in the town centre, the wet-led pub features two trading areas comprising a traditional public bar and separate lounge bar, alongside a small outdoor seating area.
The pub benefits from year-round local trade and seasonal tourism, with nearby golf courses including Machrihanish Golf Club attracting visitors to the area.
Owner James Green has decided to sell the business after 40 years of ownership and operation as he prepares to retire. Christie & Co is handling the sale.
Proper Pubs invests £450k in Oswestry pub
Proper Pubs has reopened the Boars Head in Oswestry, Shropshire, following an investment of more than £450,000.
The pub reopened on 29 October following an extensive refurbishment, including new flooring, lighting, furniture and decoration, alongside the installation of a dancefloor.
Outside, the beer garden has been extended to include a new stage and giant screen for live entertainment and sport.
Experienced operator Sam Morris has taken on the site and will introduce regular live music, DJs, karaoke, quizzes, darts and pool.
Conexus acquires Hertfordshire pub lease
Conexus Pub Group has acquired the lease of the Greenacres II in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire.
The community pub features a main bar and drinking area, separate pool and function room, alongside a beer garden and shared customer parking.
The lease was assigned to Terry O’Sullivan, founder and chairman of Conexus Pub Group, which operates a growing portfolio of licensed premises.
The pub was previously operated by Dave Boggins, with manager Sean overseeing the business for more than 20 years before deciding to retire.
Christie & Co handled the lease assignment.
Admiral and licensee invest £231k in Leicestershire pub
Admiral Taverns and licensee Craig Issacs have invested more than £230,000 in the refurbishment of the Bull & Bush in Shepshed, Leicestershire.
The pub reopened on 31 October following an extensive refurbishment, including a redesigned bar area, upgraded fixtures and fittings and new decoration throughout.
Outside, the pub has received new signage, lighting and exterior decoration, alongside an upgraded beer garden featuring a covered seating area.
Manager Helen Tyler, who has nearly 30 years of hospitality experience, will continue running the pub, introducing regular live music, darts, pool and community fundraising events.
Junkyard launches new social club concept in Liverpool
Junkyard Golf Club has reopened its 14,000 sq ft Liverpool ONE venue as the UK’s first Junkyard Social Club, marking the brand’s expansion beyond crazy golf.
The revamped site features a new live music stage, upgraded bar, two karaoke rooms and a dedicated games area offering interactive darts, pool and arcade machines.
The redevelopment has also introduced a food offer from Bunny Jackson’s, operating as Bunny’s Kitchen, alongside regular entertainment and drinks promotions.
The Liverpool venue, which first opened in 2019, will serve as a blueprint for the group’s wider rollout, with further sites earmarked for conversion in 2027.
Essex pub sold off £450k asking price
The Layer Fox in Layer-de-la-Haye, near Colchester, has been sold for an undisclosed sum off a £450,000 freehold asking price.
Dating back to the 16th century, the village pub features a 35 cover bar and 55 cover first floor restaurant, alongside two outdoor seating areas.
The property also includes four letting bedrooms in a separate building and a 20 space car park.
First-time pub owners George and Chantel have acquired the business from Caroline Compton, whose family had owned the site since 2015.
Punch acquires Middlesbrough pub
Punch Pubs & Co has acquired the Yellow Rose in Middlesbrough.
The pub, popular with Middlesbrough football supporters, is set to undergo a refurbishment in 2027.
Existing publican Nicki Rawlings and her team will remain at the site, which offers home-cooked food, live sport and a traditional drinks range.
Proper Pubs invests £323k in South Shields pub
Proper Pubs has reopened the Derby in South Shields following an investment of more than £322,000.
The Prince Edward Road pub reopened on 29 October following an extensive refurbishment, including new furniture, interior decoration and upgraded darts facilities.
Outside, the pub has received new seating, signage and decoration, with improvements designed to support its 17 darts teams, four pool teams and football team.
Operator Gary Thorius, who has run the pub for 15 years, will continue overseeing the site, offering live sport, music, karaoke, quizzes and community bingo.
