Shropshire Star
Close

See inside Wellington's Cock Hotel as historic pub welcomes drinkers after restoration

Locals feared it was set to be lost, replaced with a block of flats, but a historic pub's first day open after a £1 million refurbishment has proved a roaring success.

By Dominic Robertson
Published
Last updated

The Cock Hotel in Wellington has a history stretching back 250 years but it has only just re-opened after new owners Joule's Brewery, based in Market Drayton, stepped in to restore the venue to its former glory.

Now following a spectacular refurbishment the pub is being run by joint landlords Bill Tolmie and Simon Smith.

The Cock Hotel has re-opened after a major restoration and refurbishment project from Joule's Brewery.
The Cock Hotel has re-opened after a major restoration and refurbishment project from Joule's Brewery.

As the former coaching inn got ready to throw open its doors on Tuesday an eager group of locals were already waiting to sample a taste of what was on offer.

New landlords at the Cock Hotel in Wellington, Bill Tolmie and Simon Smith
New landlords at the Cock Hotel in Wellington, Bill Tolmie and Simon Smith

Bill, 60, and originally from Glasgow, said: "At 12 o'clock this courtyard was literally full. People waiting to come in at midday.

"We have not stopped, it has been packed the whole day.

"The car park is completely full, the pub is full to bursting, the beer is going town a storm, it has been a staggering day so far."

Bella the dog with Stewart and Jade Wheaver at the newly re-opened Cock Hotel, where Joule's Brewery has completed a major refurbishment and restoration project.
Bella the dog with Stewart and Jade Wheaver at the newly re-opened Cock Hotel, where Joule's Brewery has completed a major refurbishment and restoration project.

Bill said there were a host of factors behind the excitement about the re-opening, with people mainly thrilled to have their local back.

The newly re-opened Cock Hotel, where Joule's Brewery has completed a major refurbishment and restoration project
The newly re-opened Cock Hotel, where Joule's Brewery has completed a major refurbishment and restoration project

He said: "People feel it is their pub, their iconic building, they were all 100 per cent convinced it was going to become a block of flats and they are delighted it has been saved.

"The second thing, the overriding statement is they are overwhelmed by the conversion. They are staggered by it. The work that has been done on this place has blown people away.

"They have all said instantly the old pub is back."

The newly re-opened Cock Hotel, where Joule's Brewery has completed a major refurbishment and restoration project.
The newly re-opened Cock Hotel, where Joule's Brewery has completed a major refurbishment and restoration project.

He added: "The place is packed on a Tuesday night, it is mad."

The refurbishment and restoration has cost £1m
The refurbishment and restoration has cost £1m

Former landlords Peter and Liz Arden sold the pub back to Joule's in 2018 after running it for the best part of two decades.

From left, new landlords at the Cock Hotel, Simon Smith and Bill Tolmie, are presented with an aerial photo of the pub by Dorothy Miles, Stephanie Smith and Fraser Miles. Dorothy used to run the pub with her late husband John James-Miles.
From left, new landlords at the Cock Hotel, Simon Smith and Bill Tolmie, are presented with an aerial photo of the pub by Dorothy Miles, Stephanie Smith and Fraser Miles. Dorothy used to run the pub with her late husband John James-Miles.

The brewery had previously owned the pub from the 19th century until a hostile takeover by Bass in the 1970s.

A historic picture of the Cock Hotel
A historic picture of the Cock Hotel

Joule's promised to retain the venue's heritage while bringing it into the 21st century with its revamp, which has now been completed in spectacular fashion.

The newly re-opened Cock Hotel, where Joule's Brewery has completed a major refurbishment and restoration project.
The newly re-opened Cock Hotel, where Joule's Brewery has completed a major refurbishment and restoration project.

Bill said he and Simon couldn't believe their luck at being given the opportunity to run the freshly restored pub.

The newly re-opened Cock Hotel, where Joule's Brewery has completed a major refurbishment and restoration project
The newly re-opened Cock Hotel, where Joule's Brewery has completed a major refurbishment and restoration project

He said: "I said to Simon, he has just been handed a £1m asset to trade in a market that's already established so in terms of a start up opportunity you will never get anything like that again."

He added: "I think that's what the local community are thrilled about, we have phoenixed this old derelict building and turned it into this new thing, it is genuinely fantastic."