THE owner of Craddocks Brewery says he’s looking for “driven people who want to be their own boss” to take over two traditional real ale pubs.

Dave Craddock has put The Duke William in Stourbridge and the King Charles in Worcester up for sale, saying he’s keen to “see somebody else have a go”.

The leasehold of The Duke in Coventry Street, Stourbridge, is on the market with a guide price of £75,000, while offers are invited for the leasehold of the King Charles II in New Street, Worcester.

Dave said Craddocks Brewery, which brews its beers from premises in Bridgnorth, would retain ownership of the buildings but he added: “It would be nice to give someone the opportunity of being self-employed. They’re well-established, good pubs.

“Ultimately we’re looking for driven people who want to be their own boss, who have experience in the trade. It’s a good opportunity for someone.”

The Duke William, which was previously CAMRA’s pub of the year, has an onsite brewery and function room with bar for parties, live music and comedy events, plus walled terraced beer garden with covered seating area, as well as a one-bedroom management flat.

The 10-15-year lease is £75,000 and annual rent is £55,000.

While, the King Charles II in Worcester, which comes with two flats, is an historic pub in the city centre known for its oak-clad walls, roaring fires, award-winning pies, real ales and local ciders.

Built in 1577, it was through this pub that King Charles II escaped after losing the final battle of the English Civil War in 1651.

All enquiries must go via Christie & Co, based in Cherry Street, Birmingham.

Craddocks also own The Plough & Harrow in Stourbridge, The Talbot at Droitwich and The Good Intent in Birmingham city centre – a bar set up with the aim of raising money for charities.

The project launched in October 2019 and Dave said it got off to a “phenomenal start” but the pub has been “the hardest hit” of the Craddocks' ale houses – suffering as a result of the Government’s work from home pandemic policy which left many offices in the business district of Colmore Row empty.

Dave said, however, things have started to pick up in the last few weeks so it is hoped trade will bounce back as more office workers return to their desks in the city.