Historic harbour pub reopens after devastating fire - and with a new neighbour
A historic harbour pub has reopened after a multi-million-pound restoration following a devastating fire. Hundreds of people gathered in Charlestown on Wednesday night (September 11) to celebrate the official opening of The Pier House.
The pub has been open since June following its revamp by St Austell Brewery, who took the opportunity to overhaul the adjoining pub - formerly the Harbourside Inn - in the process, creating the new Harbour Beer House. The event saw guests greeted with delights from fellow Cornish businesses including Camel Valley champagne, ice cream from a Kelly’s truck, and the Loveny Male Voice Choir kicking off celebrations.
St Austell Brewery’s chief executive Kevin Georgel gave a heartfelt speech reflecting on the journey to restore the Pier House back to its former glory following the fire which ripped through it in early 2023.
He said: “On the morning after the fire, I vividly remember standing in The Rashleigh Arms (nearby pub) with all the team who were still visibly in a state of shock with lots of tears, reflecting the emotional attachment that we all have with the wonderful Pier House and Harbourside. I remember giving them my word, on behalf of the company, that we would restore both businesses in full and they would come back better than ever before.
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“But to achieve this outcome has been quite a journey and reflects a monumental team effort from literally hundreds of people. Having a beautifully restored building is of course only part of the recipe of success and over the last few weeks the team have worked incredibly hard in a very busy period to focus on delivering a fantastic experience for all of our guests and in doing so ensure that the Pier House and the Harbour Beer House are firmly back on the map for locals and visitors alike.”
READ MORE: Pier House Hotel fire photos show devastating damage of overnight blaze
Guests, which included the Charlestown community and the firefighters from the Cornwall Fire and Rescue service, then moved on to the adjoining Harbour Beer House - St Austell Brewery and Harbour Brewing Co’s new joint venture. A beer talk was put on by Barnaby Skerrett, St Austell Brewery’s brewing assistant manager and head brewer, Rob Orton, from Harbour Brewing.
READ MORE: Recap: Fire breaks out at Pier House pub in Charlestown
READ MORE: First look inside Charlestown pub Pier House damaged in blaze
There was then a raffle for the St Austell Brewery Charitable Trust to close the evening.
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