Sonnet 43 to Open Flagship Brew Pub
Sonnet 43 Brew House is to re-open its adjoining pub as a brewery tap after completing extensive renovation work.
The former Kicking Cuddy, Coxhoe, will revert back to its original name The Clarence Villa and comprise both a pub & restaurant. This will be the brewery’s third pub of 2013 and will create around 50 full & part-time jobs. Doors will open to the public on Friday 22nd November.
The venue was closed for over 14 months to carry out the refurbishment including an extension to the rear of the property. It will now offer traditional British dishes with a modern twist made with quality ingredients from local producers wherever possible and also, of course, feature ales from Sonnet 43 brewed just next door.
The format of craft beers coupled with good honest food has proved extremely popular at sister venues The Lambton Worm, Chester le Street, and The White Lead, Hebburn, which both launched earlier in the year.
In addition to the pub and restaurant The Clarence Villa, being the home of Sonnet 43 Brew House, will include a visitors’ centre where guests will be able to explore the brewery element of the site, though this part of the business isn’t planned to open until 2014.
Brewery owner, Mark Hird, commented: “I’m pleased to say The Clarence Villa has been completely refurbished to a very high standard. There is a lot of anticipation locally surrounding the pub’s re-opening and we’re thrilled people are embracing this. We are hoping it will also prove popular with surrounding towns and become a real destination venue, being easily accessible from the A1.”
Mark also explained the decision to go back to the original name: “We were keen to stay true to local roots, as the brewery itself does with its own name; Sonnet 43 being the work of Victorian poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning who was born and raised in Coxhoe. First opened back in 1857, ‘The Clarence Villa’ was derived from the neighbouring Clarence Railway which was used for coal transportation and was named after the Duke of Clarence who later became King William IV.”
Speaking of future plans, he added: “Further down the line we will be developing the site to encompass a visitor’s centre offering brewing experiences and brewery tours combining elements of both the pub & restaurant with the brewery. We hope it will become something of a tourist attraction for the area.”
The Clarence Villa is the final Sonnet 43 pub planned for 2013, however there are more undisclosed sites planned for 2014.
For further information, photographs interviews or to organise a review, please contact Grace on 0191 3779561 or grace@sonnet43.com
