Meanwhile, in October 2008, the former Lillie Langtry was
taken over, and the name oddly truncated.
Since these early Norwich ventures, her "empire" of pubs
has grown very rapidly.
By late-November 2009 four more establishments had
become owned and/or controlled by this enterprising lady.
Evidence from the new Langtry suggests, however, that
brewery-ties (where pre-existing) may, sadly, have been retained.
A stone's throw from the (Greene King) Langtry is the
Adnam's Rose Valley,
which was also adopted in 2008.
By September 2009 the old Slug and Lettuce had become
beluga (eaterie and bar) which does not seem to belong with
the Beluga duo in Manchester and Bramhall (Cheshire).
As recently as November 2009 the former RED has
(yet again) been renamed, this time as
Karma Kafe.
Finally (pro tem) the Buck,
an ancient and famous
pub on Thorpe Green, has joined the list;
apparently with the added prefix 'Old'.
The November 2009 issue of the Thorpe St. Andrew Newsletter
is the source of the information concerning the Buck takeover;
as well as for several other items now in the public domain.
From 2010
June 2010 has seen other developments.
Firstly, the Rose Valley has acquired a new name -
The Mulberry. As mentioned above, re the neighbouring
Langtry, the brewery-tie sadly remains with Adnam's.
It is now - explicitly - a "gastro pub".
Secondly, the sadly neglected Woolpack
in Muspole Street
has joined the portfolio. Once again Indulge Ltd.
(which seems to be the most recent company title)
have seen fit to change a name whicb is centuries old :
modifying it to The Woolie, which is what customers
have usually called it in any case.
Ms. Roberts is confirmed as managing director of the company.
Perhaps she does not believe that a pub's first duty is to
provide a choice of quality beers. The assumption is that
the change of The Woolie - to a tied house - has much
to do with the high renovation costs probably being
shared between Indulge Ltd. and the brewery.
However, a check on the Buck Inn tells a different story.
Renovation expenses seem to have been modest enough
to avoid her having to go cap-in-hand to a brewery.
This most pleasant pub remains a Free House, in practice.