When Will British Beer Company Open?

Gary Simon, principal owner of the British Beer Company, said the company is making great progress on creating its 13th pub and restaurant at the Residences at Portwalk on Hanover Street.

He said Thursday afternoon that the company has received final approval from the city's Historic District Commission and the Planning Board and they are now waiting to receive their building permit.

Once that happens, Simon said the company will renovate the nearly 6,000-square-foot space located on the first level of the Residences at Portwalk that faces Hanover Street and runs along the front of the new luxury apartment building.

If everything goes as planned, Simon said, "We are hoping to open by May 1," which would be about seven months after the British Beer Company first announced it was coming to Portsmouth.

On Thursday afternoon, the space that will become the new British Beer Company still looked pretty vacant, but Simon said that will begin to change in March and April when the company adds an authentic bar and pub furnishings imported from England and begins hiring the 60 to 70 people needed to work in the new establishment. Simon said hiring for bartenders, waitstaff, and kitchen staff is scheduled to begin on April 1.

Simon said the British Beer Company is investing close to $2 million to create its newest pub in Portsmouth, which is more than it usually spends.

“This is the first time we’ve taken over a space that is not an existing restaurant," he said. "So this is a real challenge for us."

He is very excited to open the new establishment because he feels it will have a strong customer base. He said right above it will be 200 to 300 potential customers who will be living in the new luxury apartment building, to go with a steady stream of guests at the Residence Inn next door.

He also said he is glad the pub will be close to the High Hanover Parking Garage and almost across the street from the Coat of Arms, the reigning British pub in the city. He believes it could be beneficial for both pubs.

“When there are more places, there are more people who will go to them,” he said.

Simon also believes the British Beer Company will do well in Portsmouth because even though there are already a high number of pubs, bars and restaurants, there is room for more.

"I know that the statistic in Portsmouth is that there are more restaurant seats than population,” Simon said. “Hopefully, we will add to that draw.”