The Brown Bear, Berwick-Upon-Tweed

I called in here on my first visit to Berwick in May 2013 but unaccountably forgot to write up my notes. At the time this pub was owned by Enterprise Inns and was somewhat run down - these two facts may have had a causal connection. I described it in my notes made at the time as a "drinking barn with unexpected character. A great traditional bar counter with brass rails for elbows and feet, pity there's only one hand pump among all the fonts. The fireplace has a gas fire in it but looks very smart with tiled and wood surround and a mirror and a bear above." The pub was sold at auction in 2016 and the local businessman who bought it was persuaded to keep it open as a pub with support from local people who invested in it. A temporary closure for refit resulted in the pub reopening in November 2017 with local ales on the bar. I'm looking forward to my next visit to Berwick.