Latest news with #JerryBrunning
Leader Live
15-06-2025
- Leader Live
The Druid Inn: Food at award-winning Flintshire pub
The much-loved Druid Inn, located in the quiet little village of Gorsedd, was crowned the winner in the 'refurbishment' category of CAMRA's Pub Design Awards 2025. After closing down in June 2023, it was announced a month later that Jerry Brunning had purchased the historic Druid Inn, at Gorsedd near Holywell, for his Pubs Ltd group. General manager Ray Faulder-Jones then stepped in to the role early last year before the pub - rumoured to date back to the 12th century - re-opened during in March 2024. Now, one year on, the venue has become a vital community hub offering plenty of events and great food for locals and visitors alike to enjoy. As soon as I entered the Druid Inn, it was clear to see that it offers a cosy environment to its guests and, I have to say also, that staff members were very welcoming and attentive from the moment I stepped through the door. I attended at around midday (having not done my usual of checking the menu beforehand!), so I was met with a surprise. I'm your standard burger and chips/fish and chips man for the most part, but I thought I would go with something more adventurous this time around. The candle-lit table for one was set and I noticed that there was also a brochure for the upcoming events at the pub also neatly tucked away on the table, again displaying the team's care for its community. So, as I read about upcoming BBQ's and Beer and Cider Festival, I also made my choice of what I was going to eat. For my starter, I opted for the wild mushroom and pearl barley risotto, with truffle oil and crispy onions (£9). This reporter enjoyed a quiet meal for one at the Druid Inn! (Image: Newsquest) While, as I said, this was perhaps something I would not often go for, I very much enjoyed it. For what was deemed as a starter, it was a more-than-generously sized portion that was full of flavour and the onions added a crispy twist to the delicateness of the risotto. To accompany it, I had an ever-reliable Wrexham Lager - but for the true ale lovers there is a vast array of great dark and pale ale options to enjoy, and, of course, plenty of whisky, gins, wines and more to quench a guest's thirst also. RELATED READING For the main meal, I ordered the wild garlic gnocchi, with heritage tomatoes, summer vegetable fricassee and marinated feta (£17). The gnocchi itself was absolutely delicious and the tomatoes accompanied it very well to offer up a taste sensation. The vegetable fricassee in which it sat was also a delight and the feta topped off what was a wonderfully unique dish. The main meal at the Druid Inn. (Image: Newsquest) It's worth pointing out that, although I enjoyed a meat free feast this time around, there are also plenty of traditional pub dishes on offer from steak and ale pie to beer battered haddock. The two dishes I enjoyed were filling enough for me to skip dessert - but there are plenty of delights in that respect too, including a heavenly-sounding chocolate and almond cake with salted caramel ice cream. As I paid for the bill, I was also handed a mini slice of home-made flapjack, which was a nice touch and, once again, lovely. I enjoyed my short stay at what was a memorable venue all around, from the pub itself to the staff who made me feel welcome. With regular Sunday morning strolls, farmers markets and live music options on offer, it's fair to say that the Druid Inn has become a home for the community in Gorsedd. And it's national recognition this week is fully deserved too. Long may their success continue.
North Wales Live
14-06-2025
- Business
- North Wales Live
North Wales pub revamped by Brunning and Price founder named one of best in UK
A pub that was stunningly revamped by the founder of the Brunning and Price (B&P) group has named one of the UK's most beautiful. The Druid Inn in Gorsedd, near Holywell, closed in June 2023 and it later emerged it had been snapped up by Pubs Limited. That group is run by Jerry Brunning, who started Brunning and Price(B&P) with Graham Price in the late 1980s. B&P became a roaring success with pubs in North Wales and Cheshire and the pair later sold their shares to the Restaurant Group. Jerry started Pubs Ltd, with The Druid its first location in North Wales. It reopened in spring 2024 - adding to the group's existing five sites in Cheshire and Shropshire. A major renovation took place ahead of the reopening. That pub has now been named as one of the most beautiful in Britain and won the CAMRA and Historic England award for the Best Refurbishment of an existing pub in the UK. Druid Inn was praised for its "extensive yet thoughtful renovation", with the judges praising the pub for its "cosy nook and crannies, a welcoming central bar, comfortable seating, quirky artwork, soft lighting, roaring fireplaces and a private dining room". The pub said: "This was a complete surprise. We didn't know we were in the running for this at all, so it was a complete shock when we got the news. We love our little pub and all its nooks and crannies, so we're super happy that the hard work put into the refurbishment has been recognised! "Twenty pubs are closing per week, yet they are so important to our local community. They're a place to meet friends, old and new and enjoy good quality food and drink.
Leader Live
13-06-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
Druid Inn, Gorsedd: Team react to winning CAMRA award
After closing down in June 2023, it was announced a month later that Jerry Brunning had purchased the historic Druid Inn, at Gorsedd near Holywell, for his Pubs Ltd group. General manager Ray Faulder-Jones then stepped in to the role early last year before the pub - rumoured to date back to the 12th century - re-opened during in March 2024. Now, one year on, the venue has become a vital community hub offering plenty of events and great food for locals and visitors alike to enjoy. And, the Druid Inn's popularity has been proven once more this week with the news that it was the winner in the 'refurbishment' category of CAMRA's Pub Design Awards 2025. The Druid Inn at Gorsedd. (Image: CAMRA) The competition celebrates some of the most visually stunning, historically significant and lovingly restored pubs across the UK. Judges praised the pub's extensive, but thoughtful, refurbishment noting the pub's cosy nooks and crannies, a welcoming central bar, comfortable seating, quirky artwork, soft lighting, roaring fireplaces and a private dining room. TOP STORIES Speaking after the win, Druid Inn general manager Ray Faulder-Jones said the team was 'thrilled to have won the award'. He added; "It's a great achievement! Jerry (Brunning) has been designing pubs for 40 years and he simply knows what he likes. He likes using reclaimed materials to give his pubs that comfortable lived in feeling. Druid Inn general manager Ray Faulder-Jones (second from left) collecting the award from CAMRA officials. (Image: CAMRA) "My team and I love working in The Druid, it just feels homely. "The refurbishment was extensive yet considerate to the building. "Our cosy nooks and cranny's are perfect for intimate dining or a quite drink, yet the way it's designed means that you can easily see everything that's going on across the rest of the pub.'
Leader Live
10-06-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
Gorsedd: Druid Inn voted one of UK's best-looking pubs
A FLINTSHIRE venue has officially been ranked as one of the 'best-looking' pubs in the UK. After closing down in June 2023, it was announced a month later that Jerry Brunning had purchased the historic Druid Inn, at Gorsedd near Holywell, for his Pubs Ltd group. General manager Ray Faulder-Jones then stepped in to the role early last year before the pub - rumoured to date back to the 12th century - re-opened during in March 2024. Now, one year on, the venue has become a vital community hub offering plenty of events and great food for locals and visitors alike to enjoy. And that popularity has been cemented once more as the pub has this week been announced as the winner in the 'refurbishment' category of CAMRA's Pub Design Awards 2025. The competition celebrates some of the most visually stunning, historically significant and lovingly restored pubs across the UK. Judged by a panel of experts in design and conservation, the awards highlight both the importance and vulnerability of pub architecture, from ornate Victorian gin palaces to imaginative contemporary spaces. The Refurbishment category rewards the best refurbishment of an existing pub building, ranging from a complete gutting to enhancing the design of what was originally in the pub. Judges praised this extensive, but thoughtful, refurbishment noting the pub's cosy nooks and crannies, a welcoming central bar, comfortable seating, quirky artwork, soft lighting, roaring fireplaces and a private dining room. TOP STORIES TODAY Andrew Davison, Chair of the Pub Design Awards judging panel, said: 'The Pub Design Awards recognise the highest standards of pub architecture, rewarding artistic flair and painstaking historical conservation. "From inviting streetcorner locals to striking medieval coaching inns, there are some stunning pubs in the UK, and the craftmanship involved in making these venues a gorgeous place to enjoy cask beer and real cider or perry should rightfully be applauded. "I encourage heritage enthusiasts and pub lovers alike to visit these inspirational buildings." Click on the gallery above to see pictures of the Druid Inn.
Wales Online
09-06-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
The Welsh pub named among the best-looking boozers in the UK
The Welsh pub named among the best-looking boozers in the UK The pub has won the 'Refurbishment' category of CAMRA's Pub Design Awards 2025 The Druid Inn in Gorsedd has been crowned as one of the best pubs in the UK after it won the 'Refurbishment' category of CAMRA'S Pub Design Awards 2025 (Image: Druid Inn ) A pub in Wales has been officially crowned one of the most beautiful in the UK. The Druid Inn in Gorsedd near Holywell has won the 'Refurbishment' category of CAMRA's Pub Design Awards 2025. The competition celebrates some of the most visually stunning, historically significant and "lovingly" restored pubs across the UK. In its category, Druid Inn was praised for its "extensive yet thoughtful renovation", with the judges praising the pub for its "cosy nook and crannies, a welcoming central bar, comfortable seating, quirky artwork, soft lighting, roaring fireplaces and a private dining room". In June 2023, the pub was closed by Thwaites Brewery but it later emerged it had been snapped up by Pub Limited - a group run by Jerry Brunning, who started Brunning and Price (B&P) with Graham Price in the late 1980s. B&P became a roaring success with pubs in the north Wales and Cheshire area, and the pair later sold their shares to the Restaurant Group. The Druid reopened in March 2024 following a major renovation. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here . The Druid Inn in Gorsedd near Holywell has won the 'Refurbishment' category of CAMRA's Pub Design Awards 2025 (Image: Druid Inn ) Article continues below Now, the pub is a popular venue in the Flintshire area, open seven days a week and serving food from 12pm daily. Its menu serves pub classics such as steak and ale pie, fish and chips and burgers, alongside international dishes such as shakshuka, wild garlic gnocchi and crispy hoisin duck pancakes. The inn is opened seven days a week (Image: Druid Inn ) The Welsh pub joins other worthy winners for the CAMRA awards this year, including pubs in Staffordshire, London, Surry and Herefordshire. The Peasant's Tavern in North Walsham, Norfolk narrowly missed the top spot to The Druid Inn but was highly commended in the 'Refurbishment' category. In its category, Druid Inn was praised for its "extensive yet thoughtful renovation", with the judges praising the pub for its "cosy nook and crannies" (Image: Druid Inn ) Andrew Davison, Chair of the Pub Design Awards judging panel, said: "The Pub Design Awards recognise the highest standards of pub architecture, rewarding artistic flair and painstaking historical conservation. "From inviting streetcorner locals to striking medieval coaching inns, there are some stunning pubs in the UK, and the craftmanship involved in making these venues a gorgeous place to enjoy cask beer and real cider or perry should rightfully be applauded. "I encourage heritage enthusiasts and pub lovers alike to visit these inspirational buildings." The Welsh pub joins other worthy winners for the CAMRA awards this year, including pubs in Staffordshire, London, Surry and Herefordshire (Image: Druid Inn ) Gary Timmins Chair of CAMRA's Awards Committee added: "This year's awards are tinged with sadness, as one of our winners, the Python's Arms, has had to make the heart-breaking decision to close its doors for good. "Due to the financial pressures facing all pubs across the UK, the local community has lost what should have been a valuable new social hub for generations to come. The competition celebrates some of the most visually stunning, historically significant and "lovingly" restored pubs across the UK (Image: Druid Inn ) "Within just a year from being converted into a beautiful pub, this rapid closure should be ringing alarm bells. "Real action is needed to support the pub industry, otherwise we will lose many more locals in the near future." Article continues below
