Popular Newcastle riverside pub The Keelman sold after owners retire

A Newcastle riverside pub and brewery has been sold to a growing hospitality company after its owners announced plans to retire earlier this year.

The Keelman & Big Lamp Brewery in Newburn was originally put up for sale six years ago but the two businessman in charge of the pub-with-rooms and brewery later took it off the market, deciding to keep on running the venture. In February, however, the pair decided the time had come to step away from the popular bar and brewery and retire, launching a search for new owners to step in.

Now, Birmingham based Valiant Pub Company – launched in 2021 by Hawthorn Leisure co-founders Gerry Carroll and Mark McGinty – has snapped up the business, making The Keelman its 71st venue. The venue also becomes the third North East pub to have been acquired by the company, alongside The Heart of Northumberland and The Railway, both in Northumberland.

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The deal for The Keelman was overseen by specialist business property adviser Christie & Co, which marketed the property for £995,000. The pub and restaurant is set in the Tyne Riverside Country Park on the banks of the River Tyne at Newburn, around six miles from Newcastle city centre. It takes its name from the River Tyne boatmen of yesteryear – the men who toiled on the keels, large boats that carried the coal from the banks of the Tyne and Wear rivers to the waiting collier ships.

The adjoining Big Lamp brewery, meanwhile, was established in 1982 and supplies fine ales to pubs across the UK, as well as within The Keelman’s own bar, producing around 40 barrels per week, around a third of which are used by the Keelman. The pub and restaurant part of the building has seating for around 100 diners and also has a mezzanine level used for private functions and events, as well as a large conservatory, overlooking a patio.

The Valiant pub company has also acquired the pub and brewery’s accommodation as part of the deal, within Keelman's Lodge and Salmon Cottage, providing 14 bedrooms in two buildings set within the grounds. The Keelman’s Lodge includes six en-suite family rooms while Salmon Cottage has eight en-suite letting rooms, each with king size beds and Juliet balconies.

Valiant has been working to grow its presence in the North West, Midlands and Wales, as well as the North East. In most recent accounts Valiant’s turnover more than doubled from £8.3m to £18.2m.

David Cash, regional director, pubs and restaurants (North) at Christie & Co, said: “The Keelman & Big Lamp Brewery is an institution on Tyneside and there aren’t many people who are unfamiliar with the site and their products. It is incredibly rare that a business is owned and operated by the same landlords and tenant partnership since inception, and I am proud to have helped facilitate their hard-earned retirement.

“We are also delighted to have helped Valiant Pub Company strengthen their presence in the North East – they have bought The Heart of Northumberland, Hexham and The Railway, Blyth through Christie & Co and have other acquisitions in the pipeline due to complete in the coming weeks.”

Hay & Kilner and Gosschalks LLP were also involved in the acquisition.