Latest news with #GreatBritishPubCrawl
Yahoo
04-08-2025
- Yahoo
Raise a glass for the fight to rebuild Crooked House pub 2 years on
TWO years ago to the week, an iconic Black Country boozer was ravaged by a fire and illegally demolished in the following days – and a new initiative has been officially launched to keep the pressure on for it to rise from the ashes. Campaigners from across the country have joined forces to kick-start the Toast to The Crooked House social media campaign in honour of the second anniversary of the tragedy, calling for people to post a selfie of themselves raising a glass to the pub to raise awareness about the campaign. Members of the Toast to The Crooked House gathered today (August 4) bright and early at The Chapel House in Gornal to officially launch the latest awareness campaign, with one goal – to break the internet. Toast to The Crooked House was launched live on BBC Radio WM by presenter Ed James by the campaign spearheads, the local MP, directors from the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) and the man behind a popular social media channel which highlights the importance of our pubs, The Great British Pub Crawl. (Image: Sally Shillingford (pub pic), Rich Riley (rubble) and PA (fire-gutted pub pic)) In true 'it's five o'clock somewhere' fashion, the first pints were raised and the campaign was afoot before the clock hit nine. Ian Sandall from the Toast to The Crooked House group said: 'From today, the world can now show its support, stand up and make a difference.' Liz Shanley from the group added: 'Last year's 12 month event was fantastic, but it was limited to the number of people who could get involved. 'This is more inclusive and is a way for everyone to get involved and raise support, not only for The Crooked House, but for all UK at-risk pubs.' The demise of The Crooked House made national headlines and sparked international outrage, with Staffordshire Police treating the blaze as arson. Six people were charged over the incident but have all been released on bail, and, until the criminal investigation is concluded, the decision on the rebuild is on hold after the order by South Staffordshire Council to rebuild the building brick by brick was appealed. Garry Timmins, CAMRA's Pub and Club Campaigns Director, said pubs are 'the beating heart of society in the UK' and the work to ensure The Crooked House stands tall once again sets a precedent for other heritage boozers in the country. Dales Harvey with BBC WM presenter, Ed James, live from The Chapel House (Image: Olivia Warburton / Newsquest) Planning reforms, law changes, and more support from the government to protect the historic drinking holes in the country are all being called for, so an incident like this never happens again. 'We put the world to right in pubs,' Mr Timmins said. 'We need places like this to gather and if we don't fight for this, as we get older, where will the next generation get together? 'It's not just about the beer – you can drink whatever you want, but it's a place where you can find warmth and camaraderie.' J Mark Dobbs, the National Executive at CAMRA, added: '53 years since it started, CAMRA's role in fights like this is more important than ever. 'Every time we lose a pub, we lose something that's a deep part of our community and cultural heritage.' Dale Harvey spends his spare time documenting his quest to visit every pub in Great Britain as part of The Great British Pub Crawl, while simultaneously fighting to save them. Throwing his support behind the toast, he said: '[The Crooked House] isn't just the most famous pub in the Black County, or the West Midlands or even just in England – it's one of the most famous pubs in the world. (Image: Nick Maslen/Alamy) 'What happened to it was an absolute travesty, and it can't be allowed to just go under the radar – we need to keep it in the forefront of people's minds.' Since the blaze, South Staffordshire MP Mike Wood has been a fierce advocate to get it rebuilt, trying to raise his Heritage Public Houses Bill in parliament. He said: 'I grew up locally and so went to The Crooked House with my family as a kid, rolling the marbles along the bar and trying to work out how that happened. 'It's a devastating loss that such an iconic part of our industrial heritage has literally gone up in flames. 'The community has been working so hard to get it rebuilt – and that's what we need, and to make sure those responsible are held to account.' Already, selfies with the #AToasttoTheCrookedHouse are pouring in from across the globe, from Great Britain to Greece and beyond - a testament to how much this pub means to so many people.
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Popular pub campaigner and YouTuber gives verdict on Black Country boozers
A POPULAR YouTuber and avid pub campaigner who travels up and down the country with his partner reviewing the nation's watering holes has given his verdict on his top Black Country boozers. Dale Harvey and his wife, Holly, run the Great British Pub Crawl, which has amassed hundreds of thousands of followers on social media who are eagerly supporting the couple's mission to visit every pub in the UK. From London to Nottingham to Manchester and everywhere in between, the pair have been all over the country, but Dale told The News that the Black Country has something special about it. "It's just such a great area," he said. "The people are friendly, and it has two of the best, if not the best, breweries in the UK - Bathams and Black Country Ales. "It escapes people's radars, as people automatically think of Birmingham when in the West Midlands." On top of his high praise for the Black Country as a whole, Dale revealed his favourite town, and also his favourite boozer, which he has visited in the region. He said: "I've never had a bad day out in the Black Country, but Stourbridge is especially brilliant. "The selection of pubs in the Amblecote Triangle is truly great. "That crawl is a proper hidden gem. "Then, nearby over Brierley Hill way, The Delph Run never disappoints. "It was sad to hear about The Black Horse closing recently - all the stops on that route are great." But where did Dale crown his favourite pub in the Black Country? Here's what he said: Favourite pub: The Queen's Head, Wordsley "That place is out of this world," Dale said. "It has to be my number one." The Black Country Ales pub is a firm village favourite, with a classic interior, a nice beer garden and a great atmosphere. Honourable mention: The Vine 'AKA The Bull and Bladder', Brierley Hill Dale said: "Whatever you know it as, it is a phenomenal boozer." The Bull and Bladder has also recently been crowned not only The Telegraph's Best Pub in the West Midlands, but also the 2025 Dudley CAMRA Pub of the Year. Honourable mention: Severn Stars, Stourbridge Dale gave this Black Country Ales pub a special shout-out, and he is not the only one to have given it praise as of late. The Oldswinford drinking hole has been crowned the 2025 Stourbridge and Halesowen CAMRA Pub of the Year Honourable mention: The Court of Requests, Oldbury Despite being a Weatherspoons pub, which Dale said he does not often praise highly, he said The Court of Requests is truly unique. Set in an old courthouse, this pub has a rich historical character that makes it unlike any other pub in the region. It isn't just the pubs in the region that Dale has praise for. He said: "I have never been a cask ale drinker, but Batham's Best Bitter is undeniably good. "I would go as far as to say it is the best bitter in the world." Dale is planning a return to the Black Country in a couple of weeks, taking on Stourbridge for the third time in June.
Scottish Sun
22-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Britain's ‘cheapest pub' suddenly SHUTS after 500 years because owner ‘unhappy about photos of it being shared online'
SHUTTERS DOWN Britain's 'cheapest pub' suddenly SHUTS after 500 years because owner 'unhappy about photos of it being shared online' A PUB dubbed the "cheapest" in Britain has suddenly shut up shop after 500 years. Locals have been left shocked after the owners revealed a bizarre reason with a notice on the door. 3 The Abbey, Derby, posted the handwritten note on the door saying they were unhappy about photos of it being shared online. Credit: Google maps 3 The brewery operates 200 pubs across the UK and is known for it's strict rules from owner Humphrey Smith Credit: Google maps The Abbey, Derby, posted the handwritten note on the door saying they were unhappy about photos of it being shared online. The 22-word notice reads: "Closed!! "Due to someone posting pictures of the Abbey on social media. Sam Smith has taken the alcohol and closed these premises." Samuel Smith's Brewery owns the pub and it has been suggested the current landlords had broken policies and were dismissed as a result. The brewery operates 200 pubs across the UK and is known for it's strict rules from owner Humphrey Smith. Such rules include a no-swearing policy, no televisions or jukeboxes and a ban on the use of mobile phones or laptops in its public houses. Just days prior to the closure, a Facebook account with more than 125,000 followers posted 18 pictures of the pub, inside and out. The Great British Pub Crawl account, a page run by Dale Harvey and his wife, Holly, follows the couple as they attempt to visit every boozer in the UK. They posted the photos on Saturday, May 17 alongside the caption: "Not every day you are asked to grab photos or a video in a Sam Smith's pub." It's not clear whether the post was the reason behind the closure. The pub is one of the last surviving buildings from an extensive monastery, dating back to the 15th century. The sudden closure has left locals stunned, with many taking to social media to express their disappointment and confusion. While the brewery has offered no official explanation, insiders suggest the landlords were dismissed for allowing, or failing to prevent, photos of the pub being shared online, a clear breach of company policy. The closure marks yet another abrupt ending for a Samuel Smith's venue, following similar shutdowns in Bradford and London, and raises fresh questions about the brewery's management style and the long-term viability of its rule-heavy model in the digital age. The Abbey is far from the only British boozer pulling its last pint. A string of beloved pubs are closing their doors, with punters and landlords alike left heartbroken as pressures in the hospitality industry hit boiling point. In East London, the historic Gun pub in Homerton has shut down after 160 years of service. Once a bustling local favourite, the venue was brought back to life in 2014 following a major revamp by landlords Nick Stephens and his partner Hanna-Sinclair Stephens. Despite surviving the Covid crunch thanks to a heroic crowdfunding campaign that raised over £30,000 in a single day, the couple say the pub has now become 'unsustainable'. 'It was hugely popular, but we just couldn't keep going,' Nick said. 'The capacity was only 90 — the numbers just didn't add up anymore.' Meanwhile, in Nottingham, The Emerald, a vibrant Indian pub and sports bar, has also called time, just two years after opening. Dubbed a 'labour of love' by its owners, The Emerald quickly became a community favourite for curry lovers and cricket fans alike. But behind the scenes, soaring costs and the departure of a key business partner created what they described as 'emotional, financial and operational strain'. In a heartfelt post, they thanked loyal customers: 'The Emerald was always more than just a pub—it was a cultural space… Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.' Social media lit up with tributes from heartbroken regulars. One wrote: 'It was more like home to us. Watching India win the World Cup there was unforgettable.' And even award-winners haven't been spared, a Midlands pub, hailed as the region's best and a finalist for Desi Grill of the Year 2024, has also gone under, despite its short-lived success. The wave of closures paints a grim picture for the UK pub scene, already battered by the pandemic and now facing soaring prices for rent, business rates and barrels.
The Sun
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Britain's ‘cheapest pub' suddenly SHUTS after 500 years because owner ‘unhappy about photos of it being shared online'
A PUB dubbed the "cheapest" in Britain has suddenly shut up shop after 500 years. Locals have been left shocked after the owners revealed a bizarre reason with a notice on the door. 3 3 The Abbey, Derby, posted the handwritten note on the door saying they were unhappy about photos of it being shared online. The 22-word notice reads: "Closed!! "Due to someone posting pictures of the Abbey on social media. Sam Smith has taken the alcohol and closed these premises." Samuel Smith's Brewery owns the pub and it has been suggested the current landlords had broken policies and were dismissed as a result. The brewery operates 200 pubs across the UK and is known for it's strict rules from owner Humphrey Smith. Such rules include a no-swearing policy, no televisions or jukeboxes and a ban on the use of mobile phones or laptops in its public houses. Just days prior to the closure, a Facebook account with more than 125,000 followers posted 18 pictures of the pub, inside and out. The Great British Pub Crawl account, a page run by Dale Harvey and his wife, Holly, follows the couple as they attempt to visit every boozer in the UK. They posted the photos on Saturday, May 17 alongside the caption: "Not every day you are asked to grab photos or a video in a Sam Smith's pub." It's not clear whether the post was the reason behind the closure. The pub is one of the last surviving buildings from an extensive monastery, dating back to the 15th century. The sudden closure has left locals stunned, with many taking to social media to express their disappointment and confusion. While the brewery has offered no official explanation, insiders suggest the landlords were dismissed for allowing, or failing to prevent, photos of the pub being shared online, a clear breach of company policy. The closure marks yet another abrupt ending for a Samuel Smith's venue, following similar shutdowns in Bradford and London, and raises fresh questions about the brewery's management style and the long-term viability of its rule-heavy model in the digital age. The Abbey is far from the only British boozer pulling its last pint. A string of beloved pubs are closing their doors, with punters and landlords alike left heartbroken as pressures in the hospitality industry hit boiling point. In East London, the historic Gun pub in Homerton has shut down after 160 years of service. Once a bustling local favourite, the venue was brought back to life in 2014 following a major revamp by landlords Nick Stephens and his partner Hanna-Sinclair Stephens. Despite surviving the Covid crunch thanks to a heroic crowdfunding campaign that raised over £30,000 in a single day, the couple say the pub has now become 'unsustainable'. 'It was hugely popular, but we just couldn't keep going,' Nick said. 'The capacity was only 90 — the numbers just didn't add up anymore.' Meanwhile, in Nottingham, The Emerald, a vibrant Indian pub and sports bar, has also called time, just two years after opening. Dubbed a 'labour of love' by its owners, The Emerald quickly became a community favourite for curry lovers and cricket fans alike. But behind the scenes, soaring costs and the departure of a key business partner created what they described as 'emotional, financial and operational strain'. In a heartfelt post, they thanked loyal customers: 'The Emerald was always more than just a pub—it was a cultural space… Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.' Social media lit up with tributes from heartbroken regulars. One wrote: 'It was more like home to us. Watching India win the World Cup there was unforgettable.' And even award-winners haven't been spared, a Midlands pub, hailed as the region's best and a finalist for Desi Grill of the Year 2024, has also gone under, despite its short-lived success. The wave of closures paints a grim picture for the UK pub scene, already battered by the pandemic and now facing soaring prices for rent, business rates and barrels. 3
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
YouTuber visits 20 Southwark pubs in one day – finding some ‘absolute gems'
A YouTuber on a mission to visit every pub in the UK has ticked off 20 Southwark venues in a single day – calling several of them 'absolute gems' and praising the area for its rich mix of history, character and beer. Dale Harvey, the man behind The Great British Pub Crawl, is travelling the length and breadth of the country with his wife in a bid to visit every pub, bar, micropub, and social club that serves beer – and document the experience on YouTube and social media. On Tuesday (April 29), the Nottingham-based couple crossed the river for the first time in their London crawls, choosing Southwark as their starting point for a six-day tour of the capital's pub scene. Dale, who has now visited more than 5,700 pubs since launching the channel three years ago, described the Southwark leg as a day full of discovery. He said: 'I am south of the river for the first time on a London crawl and in the Southwark area. 'I headed across Borough Market, beneath London Bridge and all around the houses as I took in 20 pubs for the first of my six days on the road this week... finding some ABSOLUTE GEMS along the way.' Kicking off at The Barrowboy & Banker, a grand Fuller's pub near London Bridge Station, Dale worked his way through a mix of historic landmarks, riverside beer gardens, atmospheric cellars, and trendy craft beer joints – ending his night at St Christopher's Inn, a busy sports pub buzzing with football fans. His Southwark route took in some of the capital's best-known boozers, including The George Inn a 17th century coaching inn owned by the National Trust and The Anchor, which has stood on the Bankside since 1615 and features its own upstairs fish and chip shop. Dale said: 'The Anchor Bankside is a beauty. Always was, always will be somewhere that I will champion for people to come and see. 'Four floors, nooks and crannies everywhere, and a massive beer garden right on the river. What a pub.' He praised several Nicholson's pubs on the route, including The Mudlark and The Old Thameside Inn, for their historic charm and 'beautiful buildings'. He said: 'What can I really say about Nicholson's pubs that I've not said already? 'They always impress… very well run, beautiful buildings, and always a decent beer selection. This one [The Mudlark] was established in the mid-1700s and it looks great.' Other stops stood out for their uniqueness, like The Mug House, which Dale described as 'a traditional sort of port and ale house' that 'feels like it's built into caves'. He said: 'This is an experience in itself. Better come see this 100%. I'm really, really impressed.' (Image: Great British Pub Crawl) He also included newer venues like Bermondsey Bierkeller, The Rake and The Sheaf – the latter offering virtual darts, shuffleboard and sports screens, built into the railway arches. One of his favourite stops of the day was The Rose & Crown on Union Street, which came recommended by pub historian and author Thomas Flynn of Historic Pub Crawls. Dale said: 'A belter of an old pub now serving up excellent craft beers alongside some top cask ales. 'Probably one of my favourites so far today – certainly one of the best with the beer choices.' The day's journey also included quieter and more intimate spots like Tap & Bottle, a dimly lit first-floor wine bar, and The Boot & Flogger, which Dale said was 'more of a food-led place than a drinker's haunt' but still 'a really nice looking gaff'. Some pubs offered a glimpse into London's resilience and quirks. The Wheatsheaf, for example, famously lost its top floor when a railway bridge was built overhead, but survived by adapting into a two-storey building. Dale's trademark mix of humour and pub-geekery runs throughout his reviews, as he jokes about being 'beer-ed out' by pub number 12 and pokes fun at chains for labelling standard lagers as 'craft beer'. He wrapped up the day at St Christopher's Inn, where he found a busy crowd watching Arsenal in the Champions League and said the venue had 'a decent buzz'. After clocking in all 20 stops, Dale was quick to praise Southwark as a highlight of the project so far: 'There are still LOADS of great places to explore in that borough!' he said. His crawl was documented in a YouTube video titled A Mega Pub Crawl Around Southwark London Borough Market, available on his channel Dale has also started a petition urging the Government to step in and support independent pubs. It calls for action on rising business rates, increased wage costs and other pressures facing the sector. At the time of publication, the petition had 2,795 signatures — with an official Government response triggered at 10,000. It remains open until October. The petition states: 'We feel without Government assistance, independent breweries and pubs cannot swallow the hikes in business rates, the living wage and rising operating costs. 'Pubs are the backbone of our communities and vital in maintaining mental health and social interaction in many communities across the UK.' All 20 Southwark pubs Dale visited: The Barrowboy & Banker The Mug House Bermondsey Bierkeller The Mudlark The Old Thameside Inn The Anchor Bankside The Rake The Market Porter The Wheatsheaf The Southwark Tap The Globe Tavern The Bunch Of Grapes The Old King's Head The George Inn The Bridge Tap The Sheaf The Boot & Flogger Rose & Crown Tap & Bottle St Christopher's Inn
