Castle Rock to open Nottingham city centre micropub
Castle Rock Brewery is set to open a micropub and wine cellar on Carrington Street, Nottingham, which will keep the name of the sweet shop that previously traded from the site.
The Barley Twist will be Castle Rock’s 25th opening in the East Midlands and Yorkshire, and will specialise in keg and craft beers, real ale, bottled British beers and have a wine list. With no food operation, there will be space for an off-licence, beer and brewing memorabilia, and the sale of Castle Rock branded merchandise.
The Barley Twist has been leased by The Beer Consortium, an EIS (Enterprise Investment Scheme) company under the chairmanship of Geoff Newton. Other pubs in this group include The Embankment at Trent Bridge and The Fox & Grapes in the city’s Sneinton Market. And, like them, it will be operated and managed by Castle Rock Brewery.
The pub’s development progressed following discussions with property owners, Lago Estates, and Nottingham City Council.
It was allocated a grant as part of the city council’s Carrington Street Area Townscape Heritage Scheme to repair and restore the building’s Edwardian and historic features and shop front. This was made possible thanks to a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Improvements include an internal staircase down to the extensively stocked wine cellar bar and a new frontage paying homage to the building’s legacy.
Newton says despite the changes, original features have been reinstated or improved. He added: “This includes the original and rediscovered floors and ceilings. We’re indebted to the City Council for their advice and support.
“We aim to give The Barley Twist the air of a graceful bygone age but well able to serve the busy traveller on the way to Nottingham Station, local residents and guests at the nearby hotels,” he says.
The Barley Twist at 91 Carrington Street is part of the Portland Hotel, itself undergoing improvement works.
Newton added: “Interestingly, though the hotel was a temperance house, it was built by the Hicking family who were wine merchants by trade. There’ll be no place for temperance now; instead we intend to create a city centre micropub that welcomes everyone.”
City councillor Jane Urquhart, portfolio holder for planning, housing and heritage, said: “We’re really proud of Nottingham’s heritage and pleased to help Castle Rock Brewery restore and preserve this unit sympathetically.
“This is part of the on-going transformation of Carrington Street back to the impressive gateway it once was. It’s the entry point to the city for millions of visitors every year, and so improving the look and feel of the street, with the help of the Heritage Lottery Fund, is an important part of the wider plans to regenerate the southern side of the city centre and build a better Nottingham.”
The Barley Twist will be managed by Yvette Marshall who has spent the last 11 years in charge at the nearby Canalhouse.
The first customers on 12 December opening day will be Sue and Alan Fielding, Arnold Market traders and former proprietors of The Barley Twist sweet shop.
