Famous Jersey pub changes hands

Thursday 19 June 2014

A Jersey pub which shot to stardom in Bergerac in the 1980s and 90s has been sold to the Liberation Group.

Jonty Sharp has called time on the Old Court House Inn at St Aubin after more than forty years behind the bar.

Mr Sharp said: “We have had a fantastic time owning and running the Old Court House Inn for more than 40 years. We have built a strong brand and an incredibly loyal customer base. It is now time to step back and we are very pleased that The Liberation Group will be continuing the work we started, and taking this grand dame of St Aubin into a new period of its life. We are confident that in their hands the Old Court House will continue to thrive for many more decades to come.”

The pub and restaurant group owns 74 pubs as well as a brewery but this is the first it has bought one with hotel rooms. The pub is made up of three buildings – the original Court House built in 1450, the 18^th Century Osbourne House and the Harbour Masters cottage – which were all done up in the mid-eightees.

CEO of Liberation group Mark Crowther said: “We are absolutely delighted to add such a prestigious property to our portfolio. Liberation Group continues to invest in the Channel Islands, refurbishing our existing stock to the highest standards and acquiring new properties that will add value and choice for our loyal customers. Once we receive CICRA clearance for the acquisition, we look forward to welcoming the team at the Old Court House into the Liberation Group.”

Some of the world’s biggest acting names including Bill Nighy, Bill Murray, Tony Robinson and Amanda Redman had a drink in the pub when it appeared as the Royal Barge hotel in Bergerac.

There are rumours that the BBC's crime-busting show, which starred John Nettles, could soon be back on our screens.