‘Absolutely gutted’ - dismay as plans to reopen popular former Bristol pub dashed

People in Bristol have reacted with disappointment to plans to reopen a former popular pub falling through. 

The Downend Tavern, which has been closed since 2020, was due to be refurbished and reopened under London-based company Starbev Pubs.   

But Jay Brown, who was set to run the pub in Downend Road for the company, said it has now pulled out of the project.       

He said this is due to flood damage at the pub causing structural issues which could take months to repair.   

“Due to information only passed to us last week and confirmation on things, sadly we won’t be able to open The Downend Tavern,” Brown wrote with "a heavy heart" in a post on the pub's Facebook page.       

“Unfortunately, we have been told there are structural issues due to flood damage which could take two to six months, maybe more, to repair.  

“With this in mind, the company director has had to pull out of deals and I won’t be looking to come to Bristol.  

“I am saddened by this, especially as I had already put things in motion with a lot of people - friends, family and the Tavern regulars who were looking forward to it reopening.”

Join the hundreds of people who have signed up for a BristolWorld newsletter

The historic pub closed its doors on November 1, 2020 in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic, blaming the then climate and situation.    

The pub has been closed since then, but in February this year, Starbev Pubs announced they would be reopening the pub after a refurb.   

Before the plans collapsed, Brown, who has been in the pub trade for 30 years, was due to move from London to Bristol to run the boozer. 

In Facebook comments, people have reacted with dismay about the hopes of the pub reopening being dashed.  

“Sad news. Was really looking forward to the Tavern reopening,” wrote one person. 

A second said: “Really, really bad news.”

While a third simply wrote: “Absolutely gutted.”