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Leeds beer new boys bid to set up a pub dynasty
IT could be the start of a modern-day brewing dynasty in the heart of Leeds.
The duo behind the Leeds Brewery want to follow in the footsteps of beer giants Tetley and open their first pub.
Ex-students Michael Brothwell, 24, and Sam Moss, 23, set up their micro-brewery on a Holbeck industrial estate last June.
By the time the firm celebrates its first birthday they hope to have the Midnight Bell up and running serving pints from their range.
Building on what the lads describe as 'traditional, yet modern' pub in Water Lane, in the Holbeck Urban Village, is due to start in March.
Michael said: "In the 1980s and 1990s big breweries like Tetley's were forced, by law, to sell off their estate pubs which I think was a great shame.
"Now just two big groups own a lot of the country's pubs.
"Our idea is to go back to the old system where you had proper Leeds estate pubs owned by the local brewery."
The name for the 200,000 pub came from Michael's time spent working for the York Brewery. "A guy called Mick Waite, manager of the brewery visitors centre, had a complete replica pub, The Midnight Bell, built in his house where we'd go to drink as poor students. We also have pint called Midnight Bell."
The new pub will become part of the Round Foundry development – the foundry is reputedly the oldest industrial building in the world.
Sam said: "It's an old building and the pub will have a traditional feel to it.
"We will draw on some the best things that Tetley's did very well. It will have windows with The Leeds Brewery etched into them,and stone and wood floors.
"But it will be a gastro-pub when it comes to the food to match the up-and-coming area it will serve."
The Leeds Brewery sells around 12,000 pints a week to pubs around the city.
Screens
The pair hope to open a second pub by the end of the year.
l BEER fans fearing the worst for the Armley landmark Albion Inn need not worry about its future despite its exterior signs being covered up.
Wooden screens have been nailed across the pub's ornate frontage, but landlady Paula Firth told the YEP the boozer which dates back to the late 1800s is having a 100,000 refurbishment.
Paula said: "It will still be called the Albion Inn but Admiral Taverns, who own it, want different signage with more lights and luminous letters. It will take about two weeks to do the outside and four the inside. We're keeping all the woodwork of the original bar but it will be completely refurbished. The colour scheme will be autumn gold for the ceiling, now there's no smoking inside, and magnolia, beige and brown which will match the old woodwork."
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Weather for Leeds
Wednesday 08 February 2012
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