Metro opens flagship Greene King cask pub
McMullen appoints two new directors
Metro Inns opens flagship Greene King cask ale pub: Suffolk multiple Metro Inns has opened a flagship Greene King cask ale pub in Bury St Edmunds, giving customers the chance to try exclusive new Greene King beers. The historic Grade II listed Mason’s Arms pub in Whiting Street, 600 metres from the Greene King brewery, has undergone a £160,000 refurbishment and among the new features is a window in the floor allowing customers to view the cellar below. The pub will now stock nine different cask ales including special one off and trial beers available only to Mason’s Arm customers. Sean Driscoll and his business partner Gary Wood, who run four other pubs in the area through Metro Inns, took over the pub in October last year and closed it last month for the refurbishment. Greene King head brewer John Bexon said: “The Mason’s is a great example of a proper pub and, particularly since the refurbishment, the perfect place for us to showcase what’s new at the brewery. As a proud Bury brewer we were keen to give local people the first opportunity to try exclusive new beers and we are pleased to be able to do this at The Mason’s Arms.” Driscoll said the pub would serve locally sourced food and coffee, while it has introduced a third of a pint glass, a loyalty card, and will allow drinkers to try before they buy. The opening of a JD Wetherspoon pub at the Corn Exchange in the town centre has been said to be impacting on trade at a number of drinking establishments in Bury St Edmunds. Driscoll said last year: “The fight back starts here really. Although we cannot compete with Wetherspoon’s buying power, we hope to offer something a little bit different that makes people want to come and visit The Mason’s Arms. I think traditional pubs have still got a place.”
McMullen adds two new directors: Hertfordshire brewer and retailer McMullen & Sons has added Heydon Mizon and Tom McMullen to its board. Mizon, a law graduate, joined the company in 2007, was promoted to associate director in 2009 and will continue to lead the company’s managed house division as retail director. McMullen, a qualified lawyer who also has an MBA, joined the company as company secretary in 2010 and will continue in that role as well taking responsibility for strategic development. Chairman Charles Brims said: “I am delighted to welcome Heydon and Tom to the board so they can contribute fully to the future development and continued success of McMullen”.
