Joule’s Brewery, renowned for its unwavering commitment to local heritage, is thrilled to announce the completion of a light touch repositioning of one of Shrewsbury’s most historic buildings, Henry Tudor House to a Joule’s Brewery Taphouse. We have carefully invested in this iconic Grade I listed building, transitioning the pub into a vibrant Joule’s Brewery Taphouse that pays homage to its rich history while offering a warm and inviting atmosphere for both locals and visitors.
Building on our initial announcement, we are delighted to share the of our latest Shrewsbury development investment, which reflects our deep respect for the building’s heritage and stories. In a fitting tribute to the past, Henry Tudor House has been sympathetically renamed as “Henry Tudor Inn 1429,” marking both its historical significance as an “Inn” during Henry Tudor’s stay and the carbon-dated construction date in 1429.
The taphouse boasts an exciting and eclectic design to celebrate its heritage, with several unique spaces offering a variety of experiences, history, character, and intrigue. The building is adorned with motifs that allude to its rich history, including a Boar’s Head, symbolizing Richard III’s household.
The private dining room remains a central feature of the building and now bears the name “Earl’s Quarters.” This naming pays tribute to Henry Tudor, who once graced these very chambers on his way to the pivotal Battle of Bosworth, where he ascended to the throne as King Henry VII in 1486. The space preserves the memory of the final place he stayed in before battling towards full royalty.
We’ve added other playful and exciting elements throughout the taphouse, which are dedicated to Shrewsbury, and other Salopian history., including the addition of stained glass to the frontage to replace the 20th century obscured glass. The 6 glass panels were commissioned by the directors of Joule’s in 2022 to celebrate the acquisition of this famous Wyle Cop Inn, and to celebrate the Shrewsbury collection of Joule’s taps. The central panel features the Shropshire Loggerheads adjacent to the brewery’s trademark the Red Cross, the 6th oldest beer trademark in the world. The other four pieces each represent of the Shrewsbury Taps. These are all designed and painted by master craftsman Paul Georgiou. Paul also produced the very extensive stained-glass installation of the nearby White Horse in 2020 and the glass work in the Bricklayers completed in 2009.
“The Hold” is a standout feature, drawing inspiration from Henry Tudor Inn’s historical connection as Wyle Cop’s Court House, where prisoners were held overnight prior to trial.
We’ve also added a nod to other areas of town, with a replica of messaging from the Welsh Bridge.
Other additions include “The Old Lion Tap”, a pub within a pub that celebrates the remarkable history of this establishment. Previously known as “Henry Tudor House,” “The Trotting Horse,” and “The Old Lion Tap,” this room has been commemoratively renamed to honour its historical roots. With ‘Tap’ being a focus here, as we have also included a special Green Monkey self-serve station, which can be booked by patrons looking to have the landlord experience and to pour the pints themselves in this pub within a pub. One of our flagship brews, Green Monkey, is a pure brewed and naturally matured lager, enjoyed by beer enthusiasts across the Shropshire, Cheshire, Staffordshire and Wales.
Other additions have been made, including the “Cigar Lounge” upon entry. Containing motifs inspired by the building’s Tudor connection, such as Don Juan & Elizabeth Bas, add a touch of historical charm. The eclectic design ensures that patrons can explore and discover something new at every turn, fostering a sense of intrigue and curiosity.
Georgia Charlton-Briggs, Brand Manager at Joule’s comments:
“The team have all worked extremely hard to create a fantastic and unique space for Shrewsbury. This has been an extremely significant project for us especially as we were approached individually by the previous owners of Henry Tudor House, Graham and Clare, to see if Joule’s would be willing to carry on this fantastic offer on Wyle Cop, Shrewsbury.
Henry Tudor had a longstanding reputation of quality, and it’s important to us that we can continue that legacy, and which is why we’ve made sure to keep as many of the elements as possible that we all know and love. While also opening up some wonderfully curated spaced that we hope you can get lost in.
A lot of what we do is dedicated to telling a story, we are, after all – the sixth oldest beer trademark in the world – Looking at the past, and making sure history is properly researched, represented and most importantly respected, is extremely central to our process. We are no stranger to celebrating and nurturing local heritage, and we firmly believe that our roots in Shropshire are an essential part of who we are as a brewery. This really will be an exciting, premium, and historical drinking experience.
Anna Brakel, Development Director at Joule’s comments:
Henry Tudor is a site we had admired for many years, its an impressive building with a brilliant story, and we’re excited to be able to be a part of the next chapter. This is something we have put a lot of consideration into over the last 12 months since acquisition, with many factors including planning, access, style, and heritage.
Pubs play a vital role in our communities, and we believe in Shrewsbury. Our vision was to create a Brewery Taphouse in the town centre that becomes a premium gathering place for locals and visitors alike. We do believe we have achieved this goal and are extremely thrilled to open our doors again and showcase the development.’
Louke Glover, Project Manager at Joule’s comments:
“ have including several of the elements you can find across many Joule’s pubs, including antique mirrors, reclaimed materials, and unusual pieces. Alongside this, the building has been treated as we do with all our pubs, every corner is filled with intrigue and with detail towards preservation, using reclaimed materials and local specialist craftsmen The building already showcases hand-crafted contemporary oak panels which work brilliantly in a 15th-century pub and are classic feature. This project embodies our commitment to creating and preserving brilliant pubs in the area.”
Matt Barker, Joule’s Joiner comments:
“Having previously worked on conservation projects throughout the county, it has a been a great pleasure to work on one of Shrewsbury’s most prestigious buildings. Whilst honouring its original features, it has been a true joy applying traditional hand cut joints on carefully selected reclaimed timbers, creating a beautiful space that perfectly complements this historical building.”
Henry Tudor Inn 1429 is a testament to Joule’s Brewery’s unwavering commitment to preserving and enhancing the cultural heritage of Shropshire. This light touch restoration project ensures that the building remains a cherished landmark for generations to come, inviting patrons to step back in time while savouring the quality and charm that Joule’s Brewery is renowned for.
Victoria Beardmore, a local to Shrewsbury and Landlady at Henry Tudor Inn 1429 comments: “We’re very excited and privileged to be able to continue the legacy. We’re excited to getting up and running again, and we are in the midst of putting together an exciting range of events. The pub has a new feel, we’re continuing our focus on Shropshire produce and local amenities to contribute to Shrewsbury’s thriving hospitality scene. Reopening the doors, and welcoming everyone, old and new, for a warm welcome with a fresh pint of Joule’s, and a cheers to a new chapter!”
We are absolutely thrilled to announce that the wait is almost over, and we can’t contain our excitement about welcoming everyone through our doors once more.
So, whether you’re a local looking for a new favourite haunt or a traveller passing through, we extend our warmest invitation to mark your calendars and save the date because our official public opening night is set for Friday, 27th October 2023.
It’s a momentous occasion that we’ve been eagerly anticipating, and we can’t wait to share the magic of this new and exciting chapter with all of you.
Henry Tudor Inn 1429 is a testament to Joule’s Brewery’s unwavering commitment to preserving and enhancing the cultural heritage of Shropshire. This light touch restoration project ensures that the building remains a cherished landmark for generations to come, inviting patrons to step back in time while savouring the quality and charm that Joule’s Brewery is renowned for.
For more information or media enquiries, please contact:
Georgia Charlton-Briggs
Brand Manager, Joule’s Brewery
01630 654 400
About Joule’s Brewery
Joule’s Brewery is a beloved brewery deeply rooted in Shropshire, committed to celebrating and preserving local heritage through the creation of exceptional pubs and taphouses. With a rich history of over a century, Joule’s Brewery continues to craft outstanding beers and create memorable experiences for patrons, making it a cornerstone of the community.
For more information or media enquiries, please contact:
Georgia Charlton-Briggs
Brand Manager, Joule’s Brewery
01630 654 400
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