Prominent former Black Country pub and gin bar goes up for sale

The Windsor Castle pub, in Lye, closed its doors after owners called time on the popular pub, gin bar and microbrewery in December 2023.

The property also includes a four bedrooms that were operated as bed and breakfast lets, according to commercial property agents Siddall Jones, who say the pub's "extremely prominent position" with easy access to Stourbridge and Halesowen town centres, Merry Hill Shopping Centre and The Waterfront means the building provides a "rare business opportunity".

"We are expecting considerable interest,” said Ed Siddall-Jones, managing director of Siddall Jones.

“The Windsor Castle is a well-known local landmark, being a former free house, brewery and gin distillery and tap room. The property was adapted over the years to also provide lettings rooms and office space available for rental, and is now available to purchase with vacant possession.

“The main bar area is at the heart and has a flagstone floor, timber bar servery and is fully fitted. The different rooms have boarded or tiled floors, pew bench seating and a Victorian style fireplace.

“All areas are full of character and charm and together seat around 90 whilst still leaving plenty of standing room. Also on the ground floor is a well-fitted trade kitchen and adjacent preparation/freezer room."

The Printworks Brewery lies to the rear of the beer stores. Originally part of Sadlers Brewery's production plant, it was re-branded as Printworks Brewery in 2019. It includes a brewery, fermenting and cold rooms with the capacity to produce around 60 brewer’s barrels per week.

However agents say the brewery equipment would not be included in the sale and would be subject to a separate negotiation. 

The pub closed in 2023 after owners cited the impact of the pandemic, inflation and turbulent trading conditions in the hospitality industry as factors which left the existing business unviable.

"As a family we are immensely proud of everything we have achieved over the past 17 years. From the quality of our traditionally brewed beers to our homemade food (especially our famous pies), we have always worked hard to produce the best that we can for our customers," said a statement issued by the pub's owners. 

"Ultimately though, persistent inflation, Covid debts, the cost of living crisis and everything else that hospitality has endured over the past few years, being a small, independent business it is no longer viable for us to continue."