Major restoration planned for The Cock Hotel after Joule's Brewery buyout
It's the end of an era for Wellington's most famous pub as its long standing owners prepare to step down.
Landlords Peter and Liz Arden have sold The Cock Hotel in Holyhead Road to Joule's Brewery, which had owned the pub from the 19th century until a hostile takeover in the 1970s.
As part of the transition, the building will be restored to its former glory, including a new set of traditional stained-glass windows.
Peter said: "We are delighted to have agreed on the sale of the Cock back to Joule's. It’s a great story to turn the clock back and let the pub go back to where it all started.
"The icing on the cake is it’s a Shropshire pub and a Shropshire Brewery, the brewery is just a few miles away in Market Drayton – that’s great."
Steve Nuttall, Joule's director, said: "Peter has known for many years that we would like to buy the Cock Hotel so it could be a Joule's Taphouse again.
"We are thrilled and very proud to take the reins of this historic pub once again. The pub has always had something extraordinary about it – it has a unique warm atmosphere, which comes from such a long history.
"The pub is an ancient listed building. Over half our pubs are listed buildings, so we understand what’s required in managing buildings with such important heritage and which need lots of TLC."
Mr Nuttall said Peter and Liz would stay on to help during the transition.
"We would like to restore the pub to how it was when it was first a Joule’s Taphouse," he said.
"We intend to get to know the pub from the inside now, Peter and Liz are leaving us a proper pub, and firstly we want to get to know everyone and find out what people think.
"Any proposals will be shown first to the locals who have supported the pub and it will be a conversation."
Marie Poole, Joule’s property manager, said: "This is such an exciting project.
"We have admired the Cock Hotel for many years, and as it was an original Joule’s Pub, we are very proud to restore it to a Joule’s Taphouse once again.
"We have many local craftsmen who contribute to all our Taps and have such joy in their work. I hope people will see the care and research that has gone into the restoration of the Cock Hotel."
