Exeter Brewery acquires iconic city pub saving it from closure

03 December 2021

Exeter Brewery has agreed to take over the running of an iconic pub in the city, saving it from closure.

The Hour Glass is an interesting grade II listed building over three floors plus a lower ground floor. The trade areas provide for a public bar, dining room and separate cellar bar within which there is much character and charm. There is a fully fitted commercial kitchen and the living accommodation provides for 3/4 rooms, lounge, office and kitchen over the two upper floors.

The bar is set to open on 8 December and the restaurant the following day.

Allan Collyer of Exeter Brewery comments: ‘I am delighted to say that we will shortly be reopening the famous Hour Glass Inn. After many months of negotiation we have managed to secure the long term future of this much loved historic pub. I am especially pleased to say the Hour Glass will also no longer be a tied pub, but completely free of tie, which will mean a greater chance of long-term prosperity and greater operating freedom.

“This is the first time in living memory, I believe, that the Hour Glass will be completely free of any tie. We certainly were not looking to take on a pub at the present time, but the Hour Glass is such an iconic and well-loved pub, also a personal favourite, I felt we had to try to save it. Needless to say, these are challenging times in the hospitality industry, and the timing for opening the pub could be better, which has now effectively been closed for eighteen months.

“We had to take the opportunity when it arose however, and though initially opening up will be a significant challenge, I believe we will soon overcome these challenges and get the Hour Glass back to offering the high-quality food and drink that it is famous for. Vickery Holman acted on behalf of the owners of the Hour Glass.”

Mike Easton at Vickery Holman said: "I have known the Hour Glass for many years and dealt with an assignment in the early noughties when it was put on the map by long terms tenants who moved on last year.

"We ran a process to find a safe pair of hands to take on what really is a genuine institution and very quickly were having conversations with a number of experienced publicans, following which our client wanted to move forward with Alan Collyer of Exeter Brewery as he was head and shoulders above the rest in a competitive field.

"I know that colleagues and contacts in many of the Exeter business community will be delighted with the news and I look forward to seeing Alan and team in situ and trading before Christmas."