St Austell Brewery has strengthened its presence in Somerset with the acquisition of The Bird in Hand in North Curry, expanding its leased and tenanted estate while partnering with experienced local operators Ravi Keshri and James Eyre.
The acquisition reinforces the independent brewing, hospitality and drinks wholesale company’s commitment to investing in thriving South West pubs and securing their long-term future.
The Bird in Hand will continue to be operated by NNI Management Limited – led by operations manager Rebecca Tilleray and her team – who remain committed to delivering excellent service for guests and supporting the local community.
Keshri and Eyre, who operate other award-winning pubs in the local area, will continue to oversee the business. All existing staff have been retained and the pub will continue trading as normal.
The acquisition comes just over a year after the pair took on the previously closed pub and completed an extensive turnaround project, transforming the site into a successful gastropub and community hub.
As operators of another local pub in North Curry – and hearing first-hand how much the closure had affected residents – they were inspired to act. Determined to restore it, they secured the site in January 2025 and oversaw its revival, initially operating from a trailer in the pub car park while refurbishment works were completed.
Since reopening, The Bird in Hand has developed a strong food-led reputation, led by Dino Lannone, Head Chef, serving locally sourced produce while also building a loyal customer base through community engagement and local partnerships.
Gareth James, Operations Director, St Austell Brewery, said: “As we continue to pursue the right acquisition opportunities, The Bird in Hand is a great strategic fit, and exactly the type of quality pub we look for within our 120-plus strong leased and tenanted estate. It’s a thriving community local in an area of Somerset where we see real opportunity to strengthen our presence.
“Ravi and James are exceptional operators. Their passion for pubs, the local community, and delivering great beer and food aligns perfectly with our values. We’re delighted to be working alongside them – as well as Rebecca and her team – and look forward to supporting The Bird in Hand’s continued success for many years to come.”
As a result of the acquisition, guests will be able to enjoy St Austell Brewery’s award-winning beer portfolio, including Tribute pale ale, Proper Job IPA, korev lager and Proper Job 0.5%.
Business Partner James Eyre said: “One of the biggest attractions for us was the opportunity to partner with a company that genuinely understands and supports great pubs. St Austell Brewery has an outstanding reputation, a fantastic beer portfolio and a model that allows operators like us to continue doing what we do best while benefiting from the strength of an established South West company.”
The acquisition of The Bird In Hand follows significant and important investment projects into several of St Austell Brewery’s leased and tenanted sites this year – including the Rising Sun in Pensford, the Crown Inn in Lynton and the Copley Arms in Hessenford – as the company continues to bolster its estate.
For more details about St Austell Brewery, visit www.staustellbrewery.co.uk.
