Historic pub near Stafford ready for new life after makeover by family team with big plans for the future
A pub near Stafford with history that dates to the late 12th century has been given a new lease of life after a takeover and makeover by a family team.
The Holly Bush at Salt had been closed since September 2025, but has been given a new look and has reopened under the stewardship of the Hewitt family.
The pub claims to have origins as far back as 1190 and is reputed to be the 2nd oldest inn to be granted a licence, with the oldest part of the existing building being a thatched roof which dates from the early 17th century.
With extensions and alterations over the centuries, there are three distinct areas, a bar area, dining room and snug.
It reopened on Thursday (January 15) after the new tenants had taken over, with husband and wife Mike and Dawn Hewitt running the bar and their son Callum working as head chef, and Mike Hewitt said a lot of work had gone into getting the pub ready.
