Running a Taylor's Pub

Mat & Kirsty | The Devonshire, Grassington

"We have run pubs for many years and are very experienced managers of large volume businesses. Matt was previously an Operations Manager for Hydes, with specific responsibility for food led outlets.

"We understand how small operational matters can affect a business.

"We had already started looking for a tenanted opportunity in the area when we came across The Devonshire and Timothy Taylor’s, who had recently purchased the pub.

"From the first meeting we found that ‘you can talk to Taylor’s’. All negotiations were open and honest with both sides being able to discuss and agree points. This is how the relationship has continued now that we have taken the tenancy agreement.

"We have appreciated the benefits of being in partnership with an established family brewer, that has the best interests of the property and tenant at the heart of all that they do.

"Great beers that are always delivered in superb condition and with bar technical support to back it up. The additional support during the COVID-19 pandemic has been second to none."

Mat & Jo | Brown Cow, Bingley

"Our journey with Timothy Taylors has been a long one, but it’s not over yet.

"We both started working part-time weekend hours for a Timothy Taylor's managed house when we turned eighteen. That was eighteen years ago for me, and twenty years for Mat.

"We fell in love with it. The job, yes, anyone who works in pubs will tell you it’s a way of life, but we fell in love with being a part of Timothy Taylor's (and each other!).

"We both gave up on other career ideas and after a few years, we ended up running pubs as a management couple. This was amazing. The company were fantastic to work for; the training we were given, the support, the perks were great.

"Then they changed directions and went down the route of tenanted houses and we were absolutely delighted when we were asked if we wanted to take on a tenancy with them. It was for a pub that we knew well, with a brewery we knew well so it was a no brainer for us and said yes before the Area Manager could finish his sentence.

"That was in 2014 and we’ve had the Brown Cow in Bingley since. Another Taylor’s pub came up for a tenancy opportunity in 2018 and we wondered whether we could run two. Turns out yes we could! the Town Hall Tavern in Leeds city centre is a totally different style of pub from the Brown Cow but we knew we’d have the support from the brewery and it’s worked out a treat.

"We feel so lucky to have been on this journey with Timothy Taylor’s. We’ve enjoyed the best times of our lives alongside them. We’ve so many memories and adventures - our wedding, having our children, made life-long friends with brewery staff and other pub owners/employees.

"They’ve been there for the hard times also - we were completely flooded in 2016 and had to rebuild, then hit hard by the devastating COVID-19 pandemic but Taylor’s have been amazing throughout.

"They are incredible and I honestly believe we couldn’t have achieved what we have with any other brewery or pub co. Thank you Timothy Taylor’s. Here’s to many more amazing years and probably more adventures!"