Real ale pub in Northampton up for sale as landlord retires

The Malt Shovel Tavern in Bridge Street is on the market for £750,000, which the agent has said is a ‘retirement sale’.

Mike Evans and wife Val run the pub, which is opposite the Carlsberg brewery and have had it for about 20 years.

Particulars suggest the pub is doing well financially, with gross profits of just under £300,000.

It is described by the agent as having a “hugely successful cask ale trade”.

The present pub was built on the site in 1914 after the previous one was demolished.

It has been through several owners, including the Northampton Brewery Company; Phipps; and Watney Mann and Truman Brewers.

It has also had a number of name changes, having been called the Malt Shovel originally then having its moniker changed to The Tudor House in 1983.

And in 1994 it became Barney Rubbles as publican John Harding sought to attract a younger crowd.

He soon changed it back to The Malt Shovel the following year.

The Chron’s archives show the pub was notable for its all-conquering darts team in the 1970s, which beat 380 others to win the televised Anglia TV trophy.

Anyone interested in buying the freehold can call Davey Co on 0115 9799189.