Keighley brewery completes purchase of historic North Yorkshire hotel

Keighley brewer Timothy Taylor’s has secured the purchase of a historic hotel with help from Yorkshire law firm Gordons.

The seven-bedroom Devonshire Hotel, in Grassington, North Yorkshire, was bought by the brewery for an undisclosed sum.

The pub has been closed for essential works and a full audit of the electrics needs to be undertaken, with an aim to re-open under the care of tenants in November.

Timothy Taylor’s plan is to make a range of its beers available, plus a new menu using locally-sourced produce, following the re-opening. The company will then work with local partners to implement a full refurbishment programme, which will be completed next year.

Solicitors Rachel Thompson, from Gordons’ commercial property team, and Duncan Firman, of its corporate team, advised Timothy Taylor’s on all aspects of the purchase and title to the property, including regulatory health and safety issues.

Tim Dewey, chief executive of Timothy Taylor’s, said: “Gordon’s played a key role in guiding us through what, at times, became a less than straightforward process. Their advice, professionalism and patience were much appreciated by all of us at Timothy Taylor’s and played an important role in us being able to complete on this transaction.”

Timothy Taylor’s currently has a portfolio of 18 pubs – the Woolly Sheep in Skipton and Keighley’s Lord Rodney being managed and the other 16 being tenanted.

Rachel Thompson said: “We’re delighted to have advised on the purchase of this beautiful hotel, within the North Yorkshire National Park, which attracts large numbers of tourists. Timothy Taylor’s are highly valued clients, and we wish them every success with this new venture.”

Brewing traditional English cask conditioned beers in Keighley since 1858, Timothy Taylor’s has been based at its Knowle Spring Brewery since 1863. The company remains in the Taylor family, is the last independent brewery of its type left in West Yorkshire and employs over 100 people.

Gordons has offices in Leeds and Bradford, employs 235 people and has a turnover of £22.9m. Clients include Wm Morrison Supermarkets plc, construction and high performance materials manufacturer Saint Gobain, international brewers Molson Coors and the world’s largest electrical heating business Glen Dimplex.

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →