Support behind resurrecting the pub has been ‘phenomenal’
It closed down more than two years ago but now The New Clarence pub in Hull is set to re-open with a flourish. On Saturday, September 6, a new chapter begins for the venue, as Hull’s first community-owned pub throws open its doors to the public at noon, with popular city landlord Jamie Reading at the helm.
Marking the end of a long journey, The New Clarence co-operative pub boasts 460 owners, and promises to cater for all needs, offering an accessible environment, a fine range of cask ales, real ciders and wines. The kitchen will be relaunched on Sunday, September 7.
Alongside the real ales, a great food menu is also promised going forwards, with vegans and vegetarians fully catered for. The initial launch brings back The New Clarence’s fabled traditional Sunday lunches.
Well positioned for Hull New Theatre and the city centre, the pub will complement local venues such as the Old English Gentleman, Brew, The County and the Hop and Vine, according to Hull Community Pub Society (HCPS), which was formed in January 2025 with the aim of raising enough money to buy and renovate the pub.
Its chairman Simon Berry said: “Some said it would never happen. Well, on Saturday, our dream will become a reality.
“This is people power; the public coming together to create Hull’s first community-owned pub. We cannot wait to welcome everyone back to The New Clarence.”
Simon said the support of people in reopening the Charles Street pub had been “phenomenal”. He said: “I’m hoping the reaction is going to be good, if social media and all the likes and comments are anything to go by – hopefully they will actually come through the door!
“With another real ale pub opening, it will attract more people to Hull and support the other real ale pubs here. That’s what we are about, a real ale pub serving quality food.”
Simon said: “The other aspect for me is, pubs are closing down all the time and they have such a vital place in Britain, in my eyes. They help to tackle social isolation.
“The New Clarence is community owned and run for the community. We have taken on four young people as well as bar staff; we don’t know how busy we are going to be.”
The New Clarence closed on June 30, 2023. A Government grant from the Community Ownership Fund was secured to buy the building in April 2024 and the pub was sold to HCPS in February 2025.
Renovations to reinstate the kitchen and cellar and install an accessible toilet and a lift shaft have now been completed and the place has been decorated. Simon said funds were needed to complete the upstairs function room, which remains closed for now, and to install the lift.
He said: “We are going to have a little rest before we focus on the next bit of the development. We wanted to get the pub open, see what footfall is like – you can just keep spending money and not have anything coming in.
“It looks a lot better inside, more welcoming, and the beer garden is looking great. One of our volunteers, who doesn’t have her own garden, has taken control of that.
“With our range of real ales and beers and proper cider as well, hopefully there will be something there that someone will like to drink. We will be doing Sunday lunches on the 7th, just to see how things go – the best thing for people to do is to ring up about that.”
The New Clarence’s opening hours during September will be 4pm-11pm, Monday to Friday, and noon-11pm, on Saturday and Sunday. Pub manager Jamie said: “These are exciting times and we look forward to welcoming new and returning customers.
“After all the hard work, we are finally here.” You can contact The New Clarence on 07543 494843 or email Newclarencepub@gmail.com for more information.
There are also £9k of shares left to sell in The New Clarence. Email shares@hullcommunitypub.com for more details.