The landlords of an award-winning pub in Bracknell have celebrated five years at the helm despite the recent difficulties they’ve experienced due to less trade.
Simon and Vicki Powell have marked five years running the Newtown Pippin in Harmans Water after taking over in March 2021 — despite quieter trade recently.
The flat-roofed pub has been named Branch Pub of the Year by CAMRA for three years running, from 2023 to 2025. The couple manage the venue as tenants; the building is owned by the Stonegate pub company.
Mrs Powell asked for community support in a Facebook post: “Hey everyone — we’ve got something important to share.
“This year is the end of our first five years at The Pippin.
“The pub has been really quiet lately, and it’s made it difficult for us to keep things going. We know times are tough for a lot of people, and we appreciate every visit you make.
“But there’s hope!
“Our brewery are stepping in and working with us to renew our tenancy, so we’re aiming to stay right here for another five years — and we’re determined to make it happen.
“If you can support us by popping in for a pint, a soft drink, a meal, or even just to spread the word — we’d love to see you.
“Let’s keep this pub part of the community, it’s amazing how far we have come with all of you and we don’t want to leave.”
Mr Powell explained some of the financial pressures: “For pubs, it’s taxes and duty, and the unfair balance for supermarkets, £1 a can or £5.50 a pint in a pub with a national average of 13p per pint profit for pubs, whilst paying £3 per pint at cost from the brewery because we’re tied to the brewery.
“When using local breweries for local cask ales, if you went direct to the,m you’d be looking to pay around £80-£110 per cask, for us we’d be paying around £170-£190 because the big companies get their share, including a heavily reduced sale from the local brewery just to get the distribution.
“But at the end of the day, there’s nothing better than a local pub, whether it be a quick one after work, pub quizzes, live music events or sports, nothing beats going to the pub, but unfortunately nowadays it’s an expensive hobby.”
The drop in customers has been linked to social housing tenants being moved out of Hambleden Court and Hurley Court — the two blocks opposite the pub. The blocks contain 72 flats which social housing provider Abri plans to replace after discovering the buildings were made with crumbling concrete (RAAC). Abri wants to build 106 new homes in their place.
James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter
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