A former Brains pub in Cardiff has been saved from the brink of closure thanks to an agreement between its manager and the council. The Willows Pub in Trowbridge was among three Brains pubs in the city that the Cardiff-based brewer ordered to shut down earlier this year, with landlords given just weeks to vacate.
Staff and regular customers of the Willows Pub, The Wolfscastle in Llanishen, and the Newbridge Inn in Trowbridge were left devastated in July by the sudden instruction that the properties had to be given back to Brains empty by August 5. All three pubs were among the 156 Brains branded pubs in Wales which brewery and pub firm Marston's took over the running of from SA Brain & Co in February 2021.
The deal, which saved up to 1,300 jobs, was needed "to address Brains' immediate funding requirements", according to a statement issued by the companies to the Stock Exchange at the time. The pubs continued to operate under the Brains brand and sell the Welsh brewer's beer.
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The Willows Pub closed on August 5 following the announcement and its keys were given to Brains, before the brewery handed over the lease and the building to the council. But, in a decision backed by local councillors and the community, Stuart Field, the owner of the company which runs pub, has reached a compromise with the authority to keep the pub open indefinitely, until a new development for the building has been decided.
The council confirmed to WalesOnline that a weekly rent has been agreed with Mr Field and his company will pay business rates. The authority added that an agreement has also been reached with a notice period for vacant possession.
The pub, which has been closed for five weeks, is set to welcome customers once again through its doors on Wednesday, September 14. Amanda Stacey-Stewart, the in-house manager for the pub who is busy preparing for its reopening, said: "Everyone is thrilled. People just can't wait to get up here. After The Newbridge shut down, there is no other similar pub around here now."
She added that the pub, which opened in 1984, was like "home" for members of the community. "A lot of people felt like they'd had their home taken away - they spent every day here," she said.
Councillor Michael Michael said: "It's not an easy time for public houses everywhere in the UK with this massive increase in power prices and we're just pleased we've managed to keep this one open for the foreseeable future." Meanwhile Mr Field said: "I would like to say thank you very much to all the councillors and everybody who has helped us to achieve this and save another local."
SA Brain & Co has been approached for comment.
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