British Beer Company Coming to City

Gary Simon said he has wanted to bring the British Beer Company to New Hampshire for quite some time after he founded the Plymouth, Mass.-based pubs in 1998.

Just recently, Simon said he signed a lease to develop a 5,800-square-foot space inside the new Residences at Portwalk on 99 Hanover St. as the 13th British Beer Company pub. He said he hopes to open it by April and staff it with 70 employees who will be well versed in how to present a British pub.

Like the other 12 British Beer Company pubs Simon operates, including one in Manchester, they are all furnished with authentic items from British pubs in the United Kingdom. He said some of his employees actually go to England twice year to spend time in British pubs to understand the difference between a restaurant and a pub.

Simon's goal is to create a public house that is a gathering place for people who will all go there for different reasons whether it is to enjoy some of the 38 imported and domestic beers, an inviting pub menu or listen to the live music they will have there.

Simon is in the process of gaining the necessary approvals from the city's Historic District Commission and Planning Board before the company can begin renovating the space. Overall, Simon said he is very excited to bring the British Beer Company to Portsmouth and he envisions his pub will complement the nearby Coat of Arms restaurant/pub on Fleet Street.

When asked what patrons can expect when they come to the British Beer Company in the spring, Simon said they will think they are in an English pub and they will love it.