WALMER'S MICROPUB

…it’s all about the people

I started in the pub trade as a tenant to a brewery-owned pub. The brewery operated a 100% wet tie. This means the tenant has to buy all wet products through the brewery at inflated prices. This decreases the landlords earning potential, increases the cost to the customer and reduces customer choice. It is medieval in both concept and practice and an absolute killer for your smaller back street pub. I didn’t know it at the time but my growing anger at the wet tie would eventually result in the Freed Man.

I care about pubs, not as places to get legless but as social centres for your local community. Unfortunately, the last few decades have seen hundreds of local pubs close due to a multitude of reasons. But all is not lost.

In 2005 the 2003 Licensing act came into force. You may remember it as the day the pubs could open for twenty-four hours. The other benefit of the new act that went unreported was it would now be easier for small premises to gain a license. It became harder for the pub companies to snuff out competition through legal objections.

That same year Martyn Hillier opened the Butcher’s Arms in Herne, England’s first micropub; it was the start of a quiet revolution. There are now over 150 and the numbers are growing.

So why did I jump onto this particular bandwagon? It’s simple, I wanted to give people somewhere to relax, meet people and socialise. I wanted my local back. The Freed Man, I hope, does that. It’s more of a mini pub than a micropub, phones are allowed and we have WiFi. I serve a draught lager, a great selection of wines, a few choice spirits and of course good British beer.

Please pop in and see what we are all about, we don’t bite and beards are not compulsory.

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“AN ABSOLUTE GEM IN WALMER….GREAT BEER….EVEN GREATER COMPANY…BANG ON TREND BUT NOT FOR TRENDS SAKE….KEEP IT UP.”

“WARM AND COSY LITTLE PUB, NICE DRINKS, REASONABLE PRICES.”

“A WELCOME LOCAL NOT JUST FOR LOCALS.”

“LOVELY DECOR/INTERIOR, POLITE AND FRIENDLY BARMAID WHO KNOWS HER STUFF.”

WHAT'S ON

…coming to a micropub near you

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THE REVIEWS ARE IN...

Read our 5 Star reviews on Tripadvisor

Whale ribs and real ales
"Super friendly, excellent well kept cask ales, whale rib on the wall.and board games a great place to spend an evening or three".
LeeBeruk
Great ambience
"Read about this place before we visited, went a couple of times, a good local place and good choice, although not an ale drinker, we tasted a few as well as the Cider and Lager on offer. Ended up playing a few games and a chat with the locals, defo worth a visit, all thoroughly enjoyed it."
StephenAP
Best hidden gem of deal
"Excellent attentive staff, who provide both personal and professional advice on the ever changing ales and lager available to you. Quirky sea shanty decour makes the whole experience enjoyable. Perfect for a few evening drinks, or an afternoon catching up with friends."
samkerry11