British Beer Company to Open

Construction crews and British Beer Company staff were busy on Monday afternoon putting the finishing touches on the new pub which will officially open for business on Wednesday at 3 p.m.

British Beer Company owner Gary Simon, who previously told Portsmouth Patch he has invested $2 million to create his company's 13th British-style pub, was also inside the new restaurant on Monday afternoon.

Inside the 5,800 square foot space were rows of stain glass windows, the signature mahogany bar and furnishings and plenty of other items imported from the British Isles. Simon said the British Beer Company's Portsmouth restaurant will have its official grand opening in June where the British Counsel General is expected to come up from Boston to cut the ribbon.

"Everybody's been hired," said Simon of the 85 full-time and part-time employees who will work in the new Portsmouth pub.

After months of working on the site to transform it into his latest pub, Simon said he is very pleased to finally open the new eatery on Wednesday afternoon. "It's the best part of the whole job when the first person walks in the door," he said.

The newest British Beer Company "has a very Victorian feel," said Simon, adding "and this is copied after Victorian style pubs."

The pub will also feature four large, flat screen TVs and the bar will have plenty of outlets and ports for laptops and cell phones along with free Wi-Fi service. Simon said the new restaurant will also have plenty of live music on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays to go with several British ales and stouts.

When asked if he has had a chance to reach out to Roger Black, owner of the Coat of Arms Pub, across the street to resolve their differences, Simon said he has not done that, but is sure the two British pubs will find a way to harmoniously co-exist.