The brewery which owns the closed Abbey pub in Darley Abbey advised Darley councillor Alan Grimadell that they have increased the salary offer to prospective managers and will work closely with him to help find new managers.
The historic pub closed more than two years ago and efforts to find new managers for the building, which inhabits the last remnants of a medieval monastery, have proved fruitless.
Mr Grimadell travelled to Tadcaster, where Samuel Smiths, the brewery in charge of The Abbey is based, to discuss its future and what efforts can be made to reopen it. Samuel Smiths is known for only selling its own beers at low prices in its pubs, which it does not allow to play music. Mobile phones, laptops and swearing are also all banned in its establishments.
Picture shows: Councillor Alan Grimadell with Amanda Solloway MP and campaigners wanting to see the Abbey reopened.
The brewery said although there had been several applications of interest in running the pub, these had not been progressed and they were still keen to find suitable managers. Mr Grimadell and the brewery have agreed to work closely together to secure the future of the pub.
Mr Grimadell has proposed holding an open day to welcome interested parties to find out more about the pub and what is involved in running it.
He said: “I am pleased the brewery have increased the pay to £42,640. They will also provide a week’s training in Tadcaster where the couple would stay in a hotel free of charge.”
In addition, the couple would live at the pub rent free and all utility bills would be paid for by the brewery.
Mr Grimadell said he is also still keen for an Open Day to take place and the brewery has agreed to take this idea on board.
At the meeting, Mr Grimadell sought assurances that the brewery is continuing to look after the Grade II* listed building which is the only substantial standing part of the former Abbey – the biggest monastic establishment in medieval Derbyshire.
Mr Grimadell said: “They assured me The Abbey still has the heat on to keep the property warm and contractors visit the pub on a regular basis. The kitchen has also been fully refurbished following a fire several years ago”
Linda Stuart of Samuel Smiths brewery said: “It has been a very difficult time for the hospitality industry with Covid-19 which we believe has affected the levels of interest we’ve received in running The Abbey. However, we take our responsibility to this building and the pub very seriously and are keen to see a management couple take it on as soon as possible. We offer full training and I am happy to speak to anyone interested in running the pub.”
Anyone interested in running The Abbey can email [email protected] or[email protected].
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For more information contact Kirsty on 07970627385 or email [email protected].
