Joule's buys two more Punch pubs

Joule's Brewery has bought two more pubs from Punch Taverns, bringing its estate to 16 sites. 

Joule's has now acquired five pubs from Punch. The new pubs are both in Shropshire — the Castle Hotel in Wem, and the Bricklayers Arms in Shrewsbury.  

The Castle Hotel dates from the 16th century and Joule's is planning an extensive refurbishment to make it the firm's flagship house in Wem during 2010.

Marie Poole, area manager, said: "We have been chasing this site for months and are thrilled to have secured it. The pub is the oldest in Wem and full of character, it dates back over 300 years. We are looking forward to restoring it back to its roots as a coaching inn. We plan to start in 2010, until then the pub is trading normally."

The Bricklayers Arms is the brewery's first site in Shrewsbury. Steve Nuttall, director, said: "The Bricklayers is one of those pubs that has always been a good-looking real traditional pub. Punch tenant Lorriane Emberton will be transferring to Joules' and we are really pleased to have a chance to work with her and to meet the locals. She has been there for four years so knows the area very well. We will invest in the site, but first we want to get to know the pub to make sure we do it right." 

The new Joules' Brewery in Market Drayton is under construction and is on target for completion at the end of the year.