Derby pub chain goes bust and closes popular pubs 'with immediate effect' - and beer fans are gutted

A Derby pub chain has announced it will be closing three popular pubs 'with immediate effect'.

The Real Brewing Company part of the Derby Brewing Company announced last week to announce it has entered into administration.

The family-run company that runs seven pubs across Derbyshire wrote a lengthy 458-word social post citing multiple difficulties including an ‘extremely challenging trading environment’, recruitment issues and the cost-of-living crisis.

Three sites that closed with immediate effect are The Clubhouse in Derby, The Pig in Lichfield and The Pointing Dogs in Matlock.

Two freehold sites, The Greyhound on Friar Gate and Derby Brewing Tap House, will remain open but will be sold to ‘clear arrears to meet their timeframe.’

Two sites, The Hole In The Wall in Mickleover and NOTSA in Aston-on-Trent will continue to be operated by Derby Brewing under a new pub company.

Derby reacts to pub closures

Social posts of Derby Brewing Company and The Clubhouse Derby have garnered hundreds of views and reactions.

Oliver Bedford who appeared to be shocked said: “Cannot believe it. This pub had everything. From the food, the vibe, the character of the staff. Cannot believe it. There will be none like it. Uni will not be the same without it.”

Reuben Clarke who was a big fan of The Clubhouse wrote: “Only been at uni for a month and have been in Clubhouse almost every day. Tragic news.”

Don Amott wrote a heartfelt post saying: “So so sorry. Please take care, thoughts are with you.”

Colin Hammersley who expressed sadness for closures said: “Very sad news, feel for all who will suffer these closures.”

Nick Squires who reminisced about happier times wrote: “So sorry, great pubs lost to the ripple effect of the pandemic... My wife and I have many fond memories in the Tap and Greyhound.”

Sally Collins’ sombre post said: “Very sad news not only for the employees but the general public too who enjoy their real ale.”

Jackie Rackham appeared distraught to hear about the closure, as she wrote: “Just so sad to read your devastating news, so sorry.”

Gary Bennett shared his best wishes for the team as he wrote: “Will really miss all the good times at The Greyhound. All the best for the future.”

"Huge sadness and regret"

In its last social post published on Friday, October 27, Derby Brewing Company wrote: “It is with huge sadness and regret that we have to announce that Real Brewing Pub Company, the pub company arm of Derby Brewing Company has today entered administration.

“The brewery will not be affected and continue to operate going forward with two of our sites the Hole in the Wall, Mickleover & NOTSA, Aston on Trent continuing to be operated by Derby Brewing under a new pub company.

“It has been an extremely challenging trading environment over the last couple of years, including the pandemic, increased loan burdens on the back of this, ongoing recruitment challenges, soaring interest rates, supplier cost increases, cost of living crisis resulting in reduced trade and huge increases in the cost base with uncapped energy contracts.

"We can no longer continue to trade"

“In spite of these challenges we had a plan in place to continue to steer through this however the business has HMRC arrears predominantly from the pandemic, like many in the industry, the HMRC had been working with us however this recently changed and the debt was demanded to be paid back within a short period, which meant the we could no longer continue to trade.

Pubs will close

“Sadly our two freehold sites The Greyhound, Friar Gate & Derby Brewing Tap House, Derwent Street will be sold to clear the arrears to meet their timeframe. Both will remain open and be sold as going concern safeguarding jobs and are now being marketed by the administrator.

“Three of our sites will unfortunately close with immediate effect, The Clubhouse, Derby, The Pig Lichfield & The Pointing Dogs, Matlock.

“As detailed the Hole in the Wall & NOTSA will continue to be operated by us, again safeguarding the team.”

“Thankfully in all cases, staff will be paid and there will be an opportunity to continue Derby Brewing’s story all be it in a different and smaller guise.”

The social post included personal quotes from the family.

"Huge regret"

Managing Director at Derby Brewing Company said: “It is with huge regret that we have been unable to steer the business through this extremely challenging period.

“We have unfortunately joined a growing list of operators to close previously successful businesses.

“The final nail in the coffin was a combination of the government allowing energy contracts five-fold previous levels to remain in place once their 50% support was removed and the in our view unreasonable behaviour of the HMRC.

“We are extremely sad for the team members who have lost their jobs and the dismantling of a business we as a family have been built over nearly 20 years.”

Director Of Brewing Trevor Harris said: “This is an extremely upsetting situation for the team and family, we are pleased however that we have been able to continue the name of Derby Brewing, returning the business into a smaller family operation where we hope to build from.”