From Retail Units to New Locals, Amber Taverns Pushes Ahead with Two Pub Openings

£1.4m Thornaby conversion and first move inside the M25 mark the latest steps towards Amber's 200th pub.

From transforming empty shops into a brand-new pub in Thornaby to bringing a fresh lease of life to an established Bromley venue, Amber Taverns is finding new ways to grow its estate as it closes in on its 200th pub.

The company has invested £1.4 million in creating The Aviator from two former retail units at The Pavilion Shopping Centre in Thornaby, while a six-figure refurbishment of the former Fuller's Barrel & Horn will soon see The Saving Grace open in Bromley, becoming Amber's first pub inside the M25. The two developments may be very different, but both reflect Amber's appetite for spotting potential in well-located properties and turning them into lively, affordable pubs with a strong local following.

The Aviator, which opened on Monday 9 November, has created 14 new jobs and brings a substantial new leisure offering to Thornaby. Taking centre stage is a 5m x 3m sports screen, supported by seven additional TVs, dedicated pool and darts areas and extensive live sport coverage, including Sky Sports, TNT Sports and Racing TV. With pints starting from £2.50, the venue combines significant investment in facilities with the value-led drinks offer that has become a hallmark of Amber's pubs. The Aviator is operated by Daniel Scott, who was born and raised in Thornaby and brings 23 years' hospitality experience to the role. He leads a team of 14 newly recruited employees.

Meanwhile, The Saving Grace on Bromley High Street is preparing to welcome customers in mid-November following a six-figure transformation of the former Fuller's Barrel & Horn. The refurbishment includes reconfigured trading areas, a new bar, upgraded audio-visual facilities and improvements to the operator's accommodation. The drinks range has been tailored to the local market, with an expanded selection of cask and craft beers, wines and cocktails alongside Amber's competitively priced core brands, with pints from £3. The Saving Grace will be operated by Aleks Busarova, an experienced hospitality operator who will oversee the launch and development of the venue.

Richard Lewis, CEO of Amber Taverns, said, "We've never believed there's only one way to create a great pub. Sometimes it's about taking an established local and giving it a new lease of life. Other times, as we've shown in Thornaby, it's about seeing the potential in a property that wasn't a pub at all. Both openings are exciting for different reasons. The Aviator shows just what can be achieved with the right investment and imagination, while The Saving Grace takes us inside the M25 for the first time, opening up opportunities in a market we've been keen to enter.

"As we approach our 200th pub, there's a real sense of momentum across the business. We're ambitious, but we're not interested in growth for growth's sake. It's about finding places where we can create something special, backing great operators and giving people a fantastic local that combines a great atmosphere, quality facilities and genuinely affordable drinks."

Notes to Editors

PIC: Daniel and his team - Daniel pictured 4^th left

The Aviator: Unit 4a/4b, Vale House, The Pavilion Shopping Centre, Thornaby, TS17 9FD. Opened Monday 9 November 2026. Investment of £1.4m. Fourteen new jobs created.

The Saving Grace: 204–206 High Street, Bromley, BR1 1PW. Six-figure refurbishment of the former Fuller's Barrel & Horn. Due to open in November 2026 as Amber Taverns' first pub inside the M25.

Amber Taverns operates community-focused, wet-led pubs across the UK through its operator-managed model, combining investment in facilities, live sport, entertainment and competitively priced drinks.

For further information please contact Maureen Heffernan via maureenheffernan@leisurepr.co.uk.

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