Wetherspoons pub Bears Head back on CAMRA real ale guide

They say timing is everything. Can we apply this phrase to Bears Head? Let’s look at the timeline.

On March 29, Wetherspoons revealed exclusively to Penarth Times they were to close the pub.

On May 21, the Bears Head returned to vaulted position of being a CAMRA pub.

Then, on May 23, Penarth Times broke the news pub owners Croeso were to take over the Bears Head site, with an aim to reopen the pub under their brand in early July.

The Campaign for Real Ale is one of the most prestigious and reliable guides for quality pubs in the UK and yes, despite closing, the Bears Head is on it.

It just happened that a certain Penarth Times reporter was at the Bears sampling some of the ales and while he was there, duty manager Josh Demille received the certification.

At the time of receiving the award, Mr Demille did not know what was going into Bears Head, but now we do, independent Welsh pub chain Croeso pubs is taking over the site.

While they move into Penarth, Mr Demille will be off to Cardiff – where Wetherspoons has redistributed him.

Another trusted staff member of Bears Head, Mason Stephenson is off to work for his dad’s car dealership on Cornerswells Road, while Elle Thompson is off to the Spoons opposite Cardiff stadium.

For Elle it’s worked out – with her always intending to move to Cardiff for uni.

For Mason, he’s stepping back from the pub trade. He emphasised that despite Bears Head dropping off the CAMRA guide, three years of hard work has seen fortunes turn round at the pub – a testament to the staff working there, including stalwart Nicola Palmer – who is off to Spoon’s Gate Keeper in Cardiff.

From left; Mason Stephenson, Elle Thompson and Josh Demille are on the move (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Demille with the CAMRA certificate (Image: Newsquest)

A lot of light has been shed on the situation at Bears Head recently, with it finally revealed who was to take over the establishment.

Croeso come in with a big reputation and plenty of pub experience running several pubs in Cardiff including the Philly on St Mary Street.

And Wetherspoons has revealed a little more about the situation with the closure of the pub.

In an updated message, a spokesperson for the pub goliath told Penarth Times: “Wetherspoon does, on occasion, close pubs. This has happened a number of times over the years.

“(In terms of the Bears Head) It is a commercial decision taken by the company.”

Croeso Pubs moving into Penarth Wetherspoons Bears Head

Croeso Pubs Ltd, the South Wales pub chain, is taking over the lease of The Bear’s Head, with an aim to reopen the pub under their brand in early July.

The Bears Head is closing (Image: Newsquest)

Croeso Pubs, which own pubs in Cardiff including the Philharmonic are taking over the site (Image: Google Maps)

Read more on the Bears Head saga:

• Croeso Pubs moving into Penarth Wetherspoons Bears Head
• Bears Head: Emotional message to save Penarth Wetherspoons
• Wetherspoons pub Bears Head in Penarth set to close

Croeso Pubs Director Simon Little said “prices will mostly remain the same”, while fellow director Craig Davies addressed the importance of the Bears Head to the community, saying: “The fact that the community launched a petition when the closure of Bear’s Head was announced demonstrates that this is a place that matters to locals, and this only galvanises our resolve to invest in this “must visit” pub in Penarth.”

Give the staff at the Bears Head who work so hard to make sure our ales are in tip top condition a shoutout in comments, on our Facebook page, or email harry.jamshidian@newsquest.co.uk.

Got a story in Penarth? Email harry.jamshidian@newsquest.co.uk.