THE STORY
Martin Bennett and Stephen Hardman arrived in New Zealand from England with their families in February of 2003, on separate planes and unaware that they had the same dream of bringing cask conditioned beer to New Zealand.

They were both disappointed with the bland, sweet, cold and fizzy offerings found in most pubs and bars of Christchurch. Through networking in the brewing industry, they were brought together and a plan was hatched. Together they decided to set up a brewery and bar of their own, to brew beers that are full of flavour and served in the traditional manner, just as beer has been produced in England for many hundreds of years.

THE BUILDING
The building was brought to their attention by a group of property investors who are working with the city council to develop the Lichfield Lanes area into a retail and hospitality hub. Poplar and Ash St will soon be pedestrianised and linked through to High St by a series of lanes. The area is one of the few remaining genuine industrial vestiges of a successful trading centre. Lichfield, Tuam and High Streets are attracting alternative retailers and cafes who wish to offer something a little different.

Stephen and Martin had no intention of trying to reproduce an 'English Pub'. This area of Christchurch reminded them both of their home town, London, and they decided to build on the heritage of the area by emphasising the original features of the warehouse - beams, columns, and bare bricks. Employing the help of architects Don Donnithorne the building was earthquake strengthened and fire rated before being refitted, much of the work being carried out by Martin and Stephen themselves. The 100 yr old concrete floor was ground down and the place furnished using native timbers. The bar and the furniture are mainly constructed from recycled matai, and the bar counter is made from a solid beam of kauri recovered from a demolished warehouse in the area. Down to the last detail, the place has been designed to embrace the heritage of Christchurch and the native timbers of New Zealand. The toilets are often said to be how a place is judged. Visit them and judge for yourself!