Samuel Smith's Brewery Owner Passes Away
Humphrey Smith, who led the Samuel Smith's Old Brewery and its network of approximately 200 pubs across the UK, has died at 81. Smith had been at the helm of the family-founded business, established in 1758, since the 1980s.
A Legacy of Distinctive Pub Rules
The Tadcaster, North Yorkshire-based brewery became widely recognized for its unconventional policies in its pubs. These regulations often included prohibitions on mobile phone use, music, televisions, and swearing, aiming to create what the company's website describes as "havens from the digital world."
Ricard Sweeting, the mayor of Tadcaster, described Smith as a "true gentleman" and a "man of principle." Sweeting noted that Smith, a private individual, had been unwell for some time, and his passing has left Tadcaster in mourning. As a tribute, the flag at the town's brewery is being flown at half-mast. The mayor highlighted Smith's significant, often unpublicized, contributions to Tadcaster, stating that many local amenities would not exist without him and the brewery.
Business Practices and Controversies
Under Smith's leadership, the brewery, the smallest of three in Tadcaster, transitioned its tenants into directly employed managers. This change allowed the company to enforce its distinctive operational policies more effectively. While many patrons reportedly appreciated these standards, the brewery also faced criticism for its management style.
Over the years, there have been numerous reports of managers being dismissed abruptly, often for alleged breaches of the brewery's rules. Several Samuel Smith pubs have also closed suddenly, sometimes remaining vacant for extended periods. For instance, The Abbey pub in Derby closed last year after its owner reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with photos of the establishment being shared online. Similarly, The Shoulder of Mutton in Bradford unexpectedly ceased operations in 2024 without public explanation. Kate Ahern, secretary of Bradford's CAMRA branch, noted this as part of a recurring pattern of Samuel Smith's pub closures.
The brewery also drew attention when it reportedly barred bikers from The Royal Oak at Ulley, near Rotherham, with staff informing patrons that motorcycles were no longer permitted.
Land Ownership and Planning Disputes
As a significant landowner, particularly in Tadcaster, the brewery was involved in local planning matters. In 2016, following severe flooding that damaged the town's 18th-century bridge, Samuel Smith's initially refused permission for a temporary footbridge to be built on its land. The brewery deemed the £300,000 cost a "waste of public money." Although they later indicated a willingness to reconsider if consulted on bridge repairs, the temporary bridge was ultimately constructed on council-owned land. Smith was also known for frequently lodging objections to various planning applications across North Yorkshire.
A spokesperson for York CAMRA acknowledged Smith as a "controversial and divisive figure" but emphasized his role in overseeing a family brewery that produces "exceptional real ale and craft keg beers at very affordable prices." They also highlighted the significant social impact of the brewery's pubs within their communities. The spokesperson suggested that Smith leaves his son, Samuel, with both a legacy to build upon and the "huge challenge" of reopening closed pubs and modernizing some of the more "arcane operational rules."
The brewery has not yet issued a direct statement regarding Smith's death.
Source: Original Article
