An award winning York brewery has revealed it has taken over a 400-year-old city pub.
Brew York hopes to reopen The Old Grey Mare, the historic coaching inn located on Clifton Green, early in 2025.
The takeover is nearly complete, with the city brewery looking forward to “another exciting chapter in its storied history”.
YorkMix revealed that the Old Grey Mare had closed suddenly in July 2024.
Previous owners Mark and Kasia Caulfield said they invested £350,000 in a transformation of the pub before reopening it in April 2022.
But after it shut, the glazed atrium was removed and the lease was put up for sale for £60,000.
The pub, which dates back to the 1600s, looked to have an uncertain future. But now it’s set for a new lease of life under the stewardship of the Brew York team.
Brew York co-director Wayne Smith said: “We are incredibly excited to get The Old Grey Mare back open and return this historic venue to the heart of the Clifton community.
“Expanding Brew York’s presence in our home city is a privilege, and we can’t wait to create a space where locals and visitors can come together to enjoy great beer, great food, and great company.”
Brew York’s brew hall on Walmgate serves Asian-inspired dishes from Yuzu Street Food. And that partnership is to expand too.
“Our great friends Yuzu are also onboard, so we hope to give a small taster of what we have developed in the city centre to Clifton,” said Wayne.
The Old Grey Mare’s history is as rich as its architecture. Originally known as The Grey Horse in the early 19th century, the venue adopted its current name later that century.
By 1902, it featured a taproom, bar parlour, dram shop and two smoke rooms, serving as a focal point for York’s social scene.
Brew York is “committed to preserving the venue’s historical charm while infusing it with their signature craft beer expertise and warm hospitality”.
Although an official reopening date has yet to be confirmed, the brewery aims to have The Old Grey Mare up and running by early 2025.
Brew York will share more updates as work begins “to revive one of York’s most beloved landmarks”.