A & H brings Bathams name to Hagley

The family firm has announced that the new pub in Worcester Road is to be called the King Arthur in tribute to Arthur Batham – father of co-directors Tim and Matt – who steered the Brierley Hill brewery through difficult times in the 1950s and developed the now-famous Bathams Bitter.

Bathams commissioned Halesowen-based building contractor A & H Construction to carry out the conversion of two four-storey offices in order to create the new establishment.

The King Arthur will be Bathams’ 11th pub, opening in a year that marks the firm’s 140th anniversary. The business has now been in the family for five generations, with a sixth generation coming through.

Director Matt Batham explained it is also the first ‘new’ pub in the history of the business.

“Suitable sites are very hard to find, so we found it was better to create a new pub rather than use existing licensed premises,” said Matt.

“We felt this was an excellent opportunity as it is the right building in the right location.”

The new pub, formerly known as Palladium House, was originally a residential dwelling dating back to the Victorian era. A & H Construction have removed internal walls, creating a largely open plan interior but have retained as many of the buildings original features as possible – including decorative plasterwork, windows, floor tiles and the main fireplace which has been carefully restored to house a wood burner. A & H has also carried out extensive work in the lower floor to make it suitable for use as a pub cellar.

“The King Arthur will be a traditional pub,” said Matt Batham. “As with our other sites, the emphasis will be on serving an excellent range of high quality beers and wines, cobs and snacks in a warm and friendly environment.”

“There will also be a ‘community room’ within the building that can be used for all kinds of meetings and functions,” adds Matt. “We feel that a pub is the heart of the community and it is very important to be closely involved with the local people.”

Matt’s brother and co-director Tim Batham said he was very proud to be opening a new pub in the village and that the name has a special significance. “We thought it would be a very appropriate name, partly because of its connections to our family – Arthur has been a family name spanning three generations – but also with the heraldic history of the Hagley area.”

The opening of the new pub is eagerly anticipated by local residents, not least 102-year-old Frank Fell from nearby Clent who has been drinking Bathams beer for 82 of those years. Frank, who is 103 in October, currently drinks in several Bathams pubs but is looking forward to having a new ‘local’.

“It’s the Bathams that keeps him going,” said his son, Ray.

A number of new jobs will be created at the King Arthur. New manager Georgina Jackson was head-hunted by the firm who wanted to bring her valuable experience to the business. Georgina, who will be living on the premises, said: “I am extremely excited about the opening of this new pub and looking forward to welcoming customers from Hagley and further afield”.

Construction firm A & H has a current turnover in excess £70 million and has a wide and diverse portfolio that includes everything from refurbishments and renovations to major commercial projects.

Construction director Steve Cutler said: “This project has involved a great deal of hard work, careful design and planning in order to convert the premises sympathetically and deliver a venue worthy of the Bathams brand.”

Barry Adams, managing director of A & H Construction added: “We feel very proud and privileged to be involved with such a prestigious project for this well-known local company. We wish Bathams every success with the new pub.”

The King Arthur is expected to open on September 29.