One of York’s historic local pubs has shut suddenly to the dismay of regulars.
The Wellington on Alma Terrace is closed and advertising for new managers.
Because it is owned by Samuel Smith’s Brewery, pubgoers fear it has fallen to the ‘curse of Humphrey’ – where the pub has been closed and the popular landlady ejected on the say of brewery owner Humphrey Smith.
One regular told YorkMix that the manager, Sue, had done a great job of revitalising the pub popularly known as the Welly.
“When the Welly changed hands about 18 months ago and Sue took over, it was just a different pub. It was absolutely gorgeous,” he said.
“And she’s gone. A much-loved landlady.
“Before, the pub was lacking in personality. She completely turned the fortunes of the pub around, and made it a very pleasant place – the best I’ve seen the pub, having been drinking in there on and off for about 12 years.”
He said a lot of the locals who used to drink there years ago came back when she took over.
But then around a week ago, signs appeared on the window advertising for a couple to “run this pub”.
“I’ve never felt more impassioned about a landlord or landlady going – she was so perfectly right for the pub,” he added. “We all miss her.”
Not the first time
Although he hasn’t spoken to Sue since she left, he said there was no suggestion she wanted to go.
Today the pub still has a ‘Happy Halloween’ sign above the bar. There is a prominent notice in one room explaining that Sam Smith’s pubs are ‘digital free’ – no phones or laptops allowed – suggesting that it was being run in line with the brewery’s strict rules.
However, the eccentric brewing baron Humphrey Smith has been blamed for shutting his pubs and sacking managers for a perceived failure to adhere to brewery regulations.
Some pubs in York – like the York Arms on High Petergate – have stayed closed for years.
It is not the first sudden shut down of the Welly. It closed for several weeks in 2020 before reopening with a new landlord.
Dating from the 1850s, it is described by York CAMRA as “the oldest purpose-built York pub to survive so unaltered”.
It was bought by Samuel Smith in 1887.
We have asked Samuel Smith’s brewery for a response, but they rarely comment.