Young’s pub group has successfully acquired the Ship Inn in Noss Mayo, situated in southwest Devon. Despite speculations about Gordon Ramsay expressing interest in obtaining the freehold site, Young’s secured the purchase.

The waterside pub, positioned along the tidal Yealm Estuary, was listed by Colliers in August with offers expected around £3.7m. Rumors circulated about Ramsay contemplating a bid, fueled by sightings of him inspecting the venue.

The establishment comprises a 160-cover ground floor pub and dining room, a private pier, a garden, and a waterfront terrace accommodating 200 covers. Additionally, there is a 20-cover private dining room.

Operated by the Bullock family for the past 16 years, Young’s is dedicated to preserving the pub’s values and original features. Simon Dodd, Young’s CEO, expressed delight in gaining the Bullock family’s trust, emphasizing the Ship Inn’s unique location and stellar reputation as a perfect fit for Young’s strategy to celebrate authentic British pubs.

Ed Jefferson from Colliers Hotels Agency, who assisted in the transaction, conveyed satisfaction in achieving the desired outcome for Lisa and Charles Bullock. He praised the Ship Inn’s excellent location and strong brand, cultivated under the Bullocks’ stewardship and supported by the local community, aligning seamlessly with Young’s ethos.

The Ship Inn will become Young’s fifth establishment in Devon, joining sister pubs Boathouse and the Seagate in North Devon, the Grove in Exmouth, and the City Gate and Double Locks in Exeter.

Premium world beer, Kingfisher has announced the launch of an alcohol-free variant. Kingfisher Zero will be available in pubs and bars nationally from 22nd November.

With 85% of pubs now serving alcohol free beer and as many as 50% of adults having purchased from the no or low category in the past year, it’s clear a growing number of consumers are looking for high-quality alcohol-free drinks, whether in pubs, bars or restaurants. But quality and authenticity are also important and Kingfisher Zero will be brewed from only natural ingredients to replicate the refreshing taste of Kingfisher Premium.

As India’s number one beer, Kingfisher has found huge success in the Indian restaurants due to its quality and authentic Indian heritage. However, in recent years as the trend for premium session beers has really taken off, and Kingfisher have been seeding the brand outside of this occasion and it is now served in pubs and bars across the country. Kingfisher Premium is the official beer of Southampton FC, has been sold at festivals including Bestival, Isle of Wight and Taste of London and enjoys huge success in the off trade, within both the grocery and convenience channels.

Andy Sunnucks, Senior Brand Manager for Kingfisher, comments, “We are delighted to announce the arrival of Kingfisher Zero, a long-requested addition to our portfolio. After successfully repositioning the brand last year, we want Kingfisher to continue to lead the Indian beer category and have a credible offering to meet the current growth in alcohol free occasions. It was also important to us that we’re not just ticking a box and that the new liquid is not only of good enough quality to replicate the original, but also stands on its own as a quality drink.”

After being closed for five years, the pub has been totally transformed with a huge investment to bring it well and truly back to life.

The Unicorn Inn has added a garden room with communal tables and a chef’s table for an immersive dining experience. This garden room features bi-fold doors that open onto a charming terrace. The pub also boasts a comfortable lounge and dining area, as well as a cozy locals’ bar.

For those who prefer al fresco dining, there are various seating options available. You can enjoy the new terrace or opt for picnic tables and benches nestled within the garden surroundings.

When it comes to the menu at The Unicorn, visitors can expect a selection of high quality traditional pub dishes while remaining affordably priced. Families will be pleased to find a special menu designed with children in mind.

“We’re delighted to have brought The Unicorn back to life – it’s now a stunning pub inside and out and is our flagship pub in Wales,” says Lawson Mountstevens, managing director of  Star Pubs & Bars. “With so much housing on its doorstep, local offices and a retail park nearby and no other pubs in the vicinity, the area is crying out for a pub like The Unicorn, which offers something for everyone. 

“The news of its reopening has so delighted residents that the church bell ringers are ringing the bells to celebrate its opening day. It will become the beating heart of the community, a place where residents can come together. It is also in walking distance for many, which plays into trends for people wanting to socialise locally.

“The Unicorn brings the investment that we have made in Wales in the last three years to over £4m and demonstrates our commitment to the Welsh economy.”

Thatchers Cider has extended its range of fruit ciders with a new Apple & Blackcurrant variant.

The 4% ABV Apple & Blackcurrant will sit in Thatchers fruit cider range alongside Blood Orange, Cloudy Lemon and Rosé. It is described as a “rich, refreshingly fruity cider, created with the sweetest dessert apples, a fresh berry aroma and bold natural blackcurrant flavour”.

Thatchers Commercial Director Jonathan Nixon said, “Our new Apple & Blackcurrant flavour is different to any other dark fruit or berry ciders on shelf and provides a clear opportunity for retailers to benefit from the strong rate of sale that ciders from Thatchers generate, thanks to our total dedication to quality and great taste.”

Three pubs across the UK have each received fantastic £10,000 garden makeovers from Thatchers.

The Old Mill in Woolacombe, The Haxey Gate in Doncaster, and the Kings Head in Norfolk were the three winners of a national competition where pubs simply needed to purchase three or more kegs of Thatchers ciders, to be automatically entered into the draw.

The manager at the Old Mill, Mark Galpin said, “We are lucky to have a spacious multi-level outdoor area but it lacked lighting when dark, so we couldn’t make full use of it once the sun had gone down. With new umbrellas, jumbrellas, lighting, and even fixed table numbers, we’re delighted with the new look garden that now adds to our customer experience.”

James Palmer, at Thatchers says, “It’s great to see the difference a vibrant outdoor space can make to a pub. Attractive outside space, whether a garden or courtyard, however large or small, has an increasingly growing appeal to customers, whether with garden furniture, planters,  lighting or even an events stage.

“And a pub garden isn’t just for summer. With lighting, heaters and cover, gardens are playing a key part in increasing capacity for venues throughout the year.

We’ll drink (cider) to that!