THE new owner of a Flintshire pub has shared his vision for the future of the venue.

Publican Jerry Brunning has announced the purchase of the historic Druid Inn at Gorsedd, near Holywell, for his Pubs Ltd group.

The Cheshire based company has bought the site from North West brewer Daniel Thwaites with plans for a ‘careful renovation’ before relaunch, now planned for early 2024. 

Presently closed, the Druid, said to date back to the 12th century, has been a popular village local and dining pub for several years and fits well with the company’s existing portfolio.

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Born in Bangor and educated in Colwyn Bay, 67-year-old Mr Brunning has strong links with the region and its pubs sector; his father owned the Royal Hotel in Capel Curig, now the Plas y Brenin outdoor centre, while his aunt, Ellaline Bunney, ran the West Arms hotel in Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog for 40 years.

Launching Brunning & Price in the early 1980s with pubs in the south of England, he moved the business north to create Chester’s Old Harkers Arms from an abandoned chandlery in 1989. 

He then opened several venues across North Wales: Wrexham’s Pant-yr-Ochain, the Corn Mill, Llangollen, the Glasfryn in Mold and the Pen-y-Bryn at Colwyn Bay. He sold Brunning & Price in 2007.

Speaking of his plans for the Druid Inn, he explained: “The Druid fits in well with our philosophy on village pubs and I look forward to returning to North Wales. 

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"What we are aiming to create here with a careful renovation is a simple but good village local. A pleasing place to meet friends for a decent beer and something to eat if you feel inclined."

He added that his young team, including his own children, will be doing the leg work of renovation, drawing on his own ‘little bit of pub knowledge picked up over the years."

The Pubs Ltd group now includes the Black Bear in Whitchurch, the Hare at Farndon, Chester’s Henry Potts in Watergate Street - opened just one year ago in the heart of the city - and the award-winning Swan at Marbury cum Quoisley, near Nantwich.