Portishead’s Old Mill reopens under new management

Launch party at the refurbished Old Mill pub which is under new management. Picture: MARK ATHERTON (Image: Archant)

The ’new’ Old Mill, celebrated its launch on Saturday night with a party attended by members of the community and local business owners.

The refurbished High Street pub features a restaurant, as well as function rooms and will also have a space for businesses to rent – which will be opening in the new year – something assistant manager Pilar Amores said was the result of discussions with the community, which they are keen to be ‘a big part of’.

She said: “Many of the previous owners, did not listen to what the people in Portishead wanted from the Old Mill, we hope that by listening to the community we can make it a success, and a place people want to come to.

“Our discussions with local businesses and requests from the business community resulted in us creating a space for them.

Launch party at the refurbished Old Mill pub which is under new management. Picture: MARK ATHERTON (Image: Archant)

“We want to become a big part of the community and believe it is important to listen to what the community wants and the community needs.”

“We have worked hard to create a much more welcoming and friendly atmosphere, to make [The Old Mill] a home from home.

The ‘new’ pub has also had its menu revamped and now serves specialist steaks, and stone-baked pizzas from their new wood-fired pizza oven, including a one-metre long sharing pizza.

The new management will seek to rebuild the pub’s reputation after a difficult time in recent years.

Launch party at the refurbished Old Mill pub which is under new management. Picture: MARK ATHERTON (Image: Archant)

The business went into administration at the start of the summer, leaving the town’s carnival committee out of pocket given the then owners had promised thousands of pounds in sponsorship.

In June, it was proposed by Portishead Town Council, that the pub, which had two owners in three years, be listed as an asset of community value, and it could potentially be converted into a museum, should the town council take over the lease on the building.

Launch party at the refurbished Old Mill pub which is under new management. Picture: MARK ATHERTON (Image: Archant)

Yusuf Mohamd - bar supervisor, Tom Dabin - general manager and Pilar Amores deputy manager and events manager. Picture: MARK ATHERTON (Image: Archant)

Yusuf Mohamd - bar supervisor, Tom Dabin - general manager and Pilar Amores deputy manager and events manager. Picture: MARK ATHERTON (Image: Archant)