Amber Taverns to take over Bedford High Street pub

Amber Taverns has confirmed that it is investing in Bedford town centre, taking over the former Brewhouse and Kitchen on Bedford High Street.

The Blackpool-based pub chain was contacted by the Bedford Independent but declined to comment further until the acquisition is complete “in a couple of weeks”.

The Brewhouse and Kitchen abruptly shut its doors on Monday (22 April), displaying a sign saying: “It’s with regret to announce our last day of trading will be Monday 22nd April.

“We’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for your loyalty and custom over the years.”

The location no longer appears on the Brewhouse website and the company was approached for a comment but did not respond within our deadline.

The site, a former Midland Bank, was previously a Weatherspoon’s pub (The Bankers Draft) before Brewhouse and Kitchen took it on in 2016, creating a micro-brewery on-site.

Speculation around Amber Taverns’ plans for the site seems to suggest a sports bar, along the lines of its Wellingborough site, The Gloucester – just in time for the Euros which begin in mid-June and the Olympics this summer.

It is unclear whether the micro-brewery will remain.