Cumbrian hosts buy second pub

A couple who run a microbrewery at a pub in Cocker-mouth, Cumbria, have bought a second pub in the town.

Mike and Susan Askey have owned the freehold of the Bitter End for 12 years and it was during that time that they created the microbrewery.

They have now bought the Royal Yew, which will also act as an outlet for their traditional ales.

Mike said: "We've been looking to expand for two years. We almost completed on a pub, but it fell through at the last minute. The Royal Yew is a pub we've known and liked for a while.

"Over the past five years trade has declined but we're certain that we can turn things round - we've only been in two weeks and the turnover has almost doubled."

He continued: "We plan to spend £120,000 refurbishing the pub. It's not in that sorry a state, but it's not had anything done to it for about 15 years. It's a bit run down. We plan to keep it as a traditional

village inn. We have a long-term plan to acquire more businesses. When we've fixed up and settled into this one, we'll be looking for another site in the local area."

The property was sold by Ed and Julie Fearon, who are retiring from the trade. Haydn Spedding, of Colliers Robert Barry, said "The Royal Yew is a delightful, traditional, food-led village inn which has an excellent reputation. This very profitable establishment will be an excellent addition to the Bitter End, which is well known for its microbrewery behind a feature glass screen in the main bar. The sale of the Royal Yew underlines the continuing demand for freehouses in the Lake District and Cumbria."

The freehold property was sold from an asking price of £595,000.