The parent company of Bath Ales has added to its pub portfolio in the city by snapping up historic watering hole The Griffin.
The tenanted pub on Monmouth Street in the city centre, which dates back to 1730, is the first to be acquired by Cornwall-based St Austell Brewery since in took over Bath Ales in 2016.
It now joins Bath Ales pubs The Hop Pole and The Salamander that were part of the acquisition package that also included the brewery at Warmley between Bath and Bristol and its beer brands.
St Austell now has 147 tenanted pubs and 179 in total included managed houses. The Griffin is now closed for refurbishment and is expected to re-open next month.
New tenant Jack Werner already operates three other successful pubs in the Bath area – The Inn at Freshford, The Cross Guns at Avoncliff and The Old Crown in Kelston.
St Austell estate director Steve Worrall said: “The Griffin Inn is an iconic venue in Bath’s city centre. We are very proud to add this unique and charming pub – with popular guest accommodation – to our tenanted pub estate.
“We look forward to working with Jack and his team to ensure The Griffin continues to play a vital part in Bath’s vibrant and distinctive pub scene.”
The pub’s previous owner of the Griffin Inn, Sam Grimston, said: “It’s been a privilege to be the custodian of a Bath icon for nearly four years. It is with a combination of pride in my staff, gratitude to my guests and sadness that I will no longer be working with them, that I am selling the fabulous Griffin Inn.
“I believe that the new owners St Austell Brewery and their new tenant will be superb guardians. I wish them much luck and look forward to seeing the pub continue to flourish.”
St Austell, best known for its Tribute, Proper Job IPA and Korev lager brands, recently doubled the capacity of Bath Ales’ Hare Brewery with a multi-million pound investment that also opens up the possibility of a wider range of beers.
