A LOCAL farming family, who set up a brewery in Worcester seven years ago, are today celebrating their first anniversary of running a traditional city centre Victorian pub.

The Pope family, who farm at Martin Hussingtree between Worcester and Droitwich, are passionate about beer and brewing and established Pope’s Brewing Company in Blackpole, Worcester, seven years ago.

It was the first phase of a plan conceived by Wendy, Graham and Alex Pope to extend their business enterprises into the world of craft ales and pubs.

With Wendy in charge of the brewing and equipment from the Kinver Brewery, it was the city’s first brewery and was located in a converted machinist unit on an industrial estate not far from the family home.

It eventually produced a range of beers with Worcester-flavour names such as Hope and Glory (Elgar would be proud), Worcester Gold and Hop Market and extended the operation to provide events with food and drink at the brewery – the second phase of their overall plan.

Alex explained that phase three of the masterplan was put in place a year ago when they took over the Paul Pry pub on the Butts, Worcester.

He said the pub is a traditional Victorian property and has many original features in pristine condition. “A lot of the original features are still prominent. There is original seating in the front bar and there is original terrazzo flooring. We have tried to keep it very classic.”

But during the first year of running the pub, they had a small fire at the brewery and Alex said there was a lot of building work that needed to be completed there. The family decided to take stock and evaluate their plans in the light of what had happened and eventually opted to close the brewery at Blackpole.

But that did not mark the end of the Pope family beers as they have developed a Paul Pry Pale Ale to their own recipe which is being produced by the Teme Valley Brewery at Knightwick to be sold in the pub. The family is also planning to start a small brewery at the pub and give customers an insight into how beer is brewed through special events it wants to stage.

They also offer their home-made pork pies, Scotch eggs, sausage rolls, pickles and chutneys to eat in the pub. Sunday lunches are now being served at the Paul Pry.

Alex said there is a first anniversary party at the pub tonight (Saturday February 24) starting at 8pm and going on to 1am with a disco and party games. “We are going to have games like Pass the Parcel and Musical Chairs with booze-related gifts for the winners.”

Alex added they were pleased with the first year running the pub. “You never know how it is going to go. We have regulars coming in on a daily basis and we’ve had great support from the local business community.

“We have a lot of families coming here on and Saturday and Sunday afternoon and the children can play with the Lego and other games. We are trying to get it as a hub of the community. We have drink and doodle arts evenings and musicians coming in to play.”