Contact: press@otleypubclub.co.uk
Otley Pub Club herald new ownership and a new era for the Black Horse as award-winning Kirkstall Brewery and Brudenell Social Club buy Otley’s Victorian Hotel
Otley Pub Club are celebrating the fantastic news that award-winning local brewery, Kirkstall Brewery and Brudenell Social Club are buying the Black Horse, heralding a new era for Otley’s Victorian Hotel as a pub, hotel and live music venue.
The partnership will involve investing in the Black Horse to maximise its Victorian splendour whilst giving an exciting contemporary offering of great beer (cask and craft) from the award-winning Kirkstall range, high quality contemporary pub food and also to use the partnership with the Brudenell Social Club to establish the Black Horse as a popular live music venue. The project will happen in phases.
Kirkstall have refurbished the Cardigan Arms and The Bridge, both in Kirkstall, which now both offer excellent food and beer as well as supporting local community events. Steve Holt, one of the two directors of Kirkstall Brewery has a particular passion for Victorian buildings and interiors and intends to make the most of the Black Horse’s fine interior, in a similar way to the stunning restoration carried out at the Cardigan Arms.
The Brudenell Social Club, in Hyde Park, Leeds, is one of the North of England’s best and most popular small live music venues attracting national and international acts as well as up and coming local musical talent.
Previously, the Black Horse was owned by giant pubco Enterprise Inns (EI Group) who operated a tied leased model, which failed so the new owners and new model finally gives the Black Horse the chance to flourish in local hands, with an offering to make the most of the Black Horse and all it has to offer.
Greg Mulholland, President of Otley Pub Club said:
“Otley Pub Club are absolutely delighted at the fabulous news that the award-winning Kirkstall Brewery and the Brudenell Social Club have bought and are investing in the Black Horse in Otley. This is a perfect fit for the pub, with Kirkstall’s record in restoring pubs, their great beer and food offer and their passion for Victorian buildings. Added to that, it’s hugely exciting to have a partnership with the legendary Brudenell Social Club and music fans in Otley will be delighted that the Black Horse will add to Otley’s live music offering, especially since the loss of Korks and Otley Civic Centre. So we commend this wonderful news and thank Steve, John and Nathan for investing in Otley’s Victorian coaching inn to make it something very special, that will serve the community for years to come.
“Otley Pub Club also want to again thank the amazing team of volunteers involved in the LS21 community group, whose efforts undoubtedly assisted securing the long-term future of the Black Horse. So this is a great story all round and one the whole community in Otley should toast, with a pint of Kirkstall, of course!”
Julie Carrack, Secretary of Otley Pub Club added:
“It is fantastic news that Kirkstall Brewery, in partnership with Brudenell Social Club, have bought the Black Horse Hotel in Otley. For those who know how superb their pubs are, as well as their beer, then this is something that will excite all pub and beer fans in Otley and the surrounding area.
“With the news also that the Black Horse will become a live music venue, as well as being Otley’s Victorian hotel, the future is very bright and Otley Pub Club can’t wait to enjoy the Black Horse under their ownership and we commend Kirkstall and the Brudenell Social Club for buying and investing in it and look forward to working with them”.
