Member Article

Pub ‘kicked’ back to life by microbrewery

A North East pub has been given a new lease of life thanks to the microbrewery based next door.

The Kicking Cuddy pub at Coxhoe, County Durham, was bought by restaurateur Mark Hird in 2012, as part of the creation of the adjoining Sonnet 43 Brew House.

Now, after being closed for more than 14 months for refurbishment, the pub is being re-launched as a brewery tap, with a bar and restaurant offering ales direct from the purpose-built brewery, as well as traditional British food.

The new venue, which has created around 50 full and part-time jobs, has been re-named The Clarence Villa – a title originally given to the property in 1857 in honour of the neighbouring Clarence Railway, used for coal transportation, which itself was named after the Duke of Clarence who later became King William IV.

It is the third brewery tap to be opened by Sonnet 43 in the last 12 months, following the launch of The Lambton Worm, Chester le Street, and The White Lead, Hebburn, with more expected to follow in 2014.

Owner Mark Hird, said: “Sonnet 43 Brew House has been performing extremely well since its launch in 2012 and this has allowed us to invest in the former Kicking Cuddy pub and transform it into a modern brewery tap, offering not only good quality craft ales, but British food made using locally sourced ingredients.

“We are already planning to develop the site further in the future and hope to also include a visitor’s centre, offering brewing experiences and tours.”

For more information or to see the full range of ales and food on offer at The Clarence Villa visit www.theclarencevilla.co.uk or call 0191 3773773.

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