Brakspear has opened its seventh managed site - its first in London.
The Pocket Watch in Shepherds Bush has transferred across from the tenanted estate following a major refurbishment.
The pub, formerly called the British Queen, has been redeveloped as a ‘neighbourhood local’, aimed at young professionals living and working in the area.
Brakspear chief executive Tom Davies said: “The demographic of Shepherds Bush has changed dramatically over recent years, creating an exciting opportunity for us. We’ve reinvented the pub from traditional boozer to ‘third place’, where customers can enjoy a drink or a quick bite, chat with friends and maybe watch some live sport.
“It’s a community pub with a modern twist and we’re confident it’ll quickly become a favourite place to spend time in Shepherds Bush.”
The drinks range centres around Brakspear cask ales, a selection of premium draught and craft beers and ciders and premium spirits. The food menu, which changes every couple of months, includes small plates such as popcorn prawns and spam fritters, and large plates such as such as burger, steak, mac ‘n’ cheese and baked seabass.
Entertainment includes big screen TVs with Aussie Rules football catering for the area’s sizeable Australian population. Live music will also be a regular fixture.
The Pocket Watch is the third pub to join Brakspear’s managed division this year, following the acquisitions of the George Hotel in Shipston-on-Stour in May and the Church Street Townhouse in Stratford-upon-Avon in October.
Brakspear’s first managed pub, the Bull on Bell Street in Henley-on-Thames, opened in March 2013, followed by the Porch House in Stow-on-the-Wold, the Running Horses in Mickleham, Surrrey and the Chequers in Marlow. In September this year, Brakspear appointed Ed Turner as a non-executive director with a remit to help develop its managed pub division.
