Duke of Wellington to March Forward Under New Ownership
February 18, 2014
The Duke of Wellington on Balls Pond Road in Dalston, has a new owner after DCL – the leisure specialists – sold the popular establishment on behalf of Mason & Co Ltd to husband and wife team, Miles and Zoe Hutchins. The couple have purchased the remainder of a 20 year FRI Enterprise Inns tied-lease from 2000 for an undisclosed sum.
The new owners plan to build on the established business at the pub and continue to provide new and interesting beers, food and entertainment.
The three storey building was constructed circa 1846 and has an open plan bar and central server on ground floor with seating for up to 76 people along with a separate seating area for an additional 42 people to the rear. There is a trade kitchen and office on the first floor and residential accommodation comprising a bedroom, reception and bathroom on second floor. The pub also benefits from outdoor seating for up to 42 people as well as a 1am licence.
Edward Mason, owner of Mason & Co Ltd, has sold the pub to focus on developing and expanding The Five Points Brewing Company in central Hackney, which he launched early last year (2013). He also continues to operate two pubs in Yorkshire – the grade II listed Whitelock’s Ale House in Leeds (the citys oldest pub) and The Deramore Arms in York.
Chris Bickle, Associate Director at Davis Coffer Lyons, said: This area of London has benefitted greatly from the East London line extension as well as Hackneys overall rise in popularity in both commercial and residential terms. There are a lot of opportunities here which have been recognised by numerous start ups as well as established leisure groups. We have a few more deals in the pipeline and hope to be able to make further announcements in due course.
Mason said: Over the past five years our team have reinvigorated and re?popularised what was previously a failing pub. By focussing on craft beers, quality food, beer festivals and events it is now a much loved pub at the heart of the local community. Although I am moving on to focus on my brewing company, I am confident that Miles and Zoes will take the pub to new heights.
Miles Hutchins, who runs a graphic design and corporate communications company in London, added: We feel very privileged to be taking over the Duke from Ed Mason. It has a fabulous reputation and is clearly a very popular drinking place for the Balls Pond Road, De Beauvoir and Dalston community. We are really looking forward to working with the same team – many of whom we have already got to know – and we look forward to meeting more of our customers in due course.
The Duke of Wellington is a CAMRA award-winner, and has featured in the Good Beer Guide for the past three years.
