Warwick Heskins to say farewell to The Catherine Wheel in Newbury

A TOWN centre licensee has announced he is moving on to pastures new.

Warwick Heskins has been at the helm of The Catherine Wheel in Cheap Street for the past decade.

In that time he has transformed into a thriving business, hugely popular with fans of real ale and cider.

Under Mr Heskins’ tenure The Catherine Wheel has repeatedly been named West Berkshire Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) pub of the year and has regularly featured in the national Good Beer Guide.

One of the first things he did was to change the name from The Jack O’Newbury back to its original moniker and to introduce a wide range of ales.

Mr Heskins has also played a big part in the civic life of Newbury, chairing the Newbury Business Improvement District (BID).

After recently celebrating his 10th anniversary there, Mr Heskins revealed he is preparing to pass on the baton.

He said: “I really don’t have any firm plans for the future at the moment.

“I’ll carry on with the BID until I eventually leave but meanwhile I’ll continue to give it my all.”

Mr Heskins told customers in a statement: “The Catherine Wheel has been part of my life (my wife would say it has been my life) for the past 10 years and I am truly proud of everything we have accomplished.

“We saw our sales rise dramatically during the years up to Covid and, while not yet at pre-Covid levels, sales have recovered again (we even had the cheek to make a small profit during the last year).”

It was after careful consideration and discussion with his wife that he decided it was time for a change.

Mr Heskins added: “I have decided (with a heavy heart) that it is time to move on and pass over The Catherine Wheel baton to someone else.

“The Catherine Wheel is a fantastic pub and believe me when I say I will miss it very much.

“However, you are not getting rid of me that quickly as I will be around until next March (unless someone enthusiastic would like to take over sooner).

“Everything is business as usual, and we have some great things planned for the remainder of the summer through to Christmas and beyond.”

Mr Heskins stressed that “this is not a sad tale of a struggling pub closing”, insisting: “It’s not struggling and it’s not going to close.”

He acknowledged recent difficulties faced by the licensed trade such as rising electricity costs and the struggle to recover from the Covid pandemic.

But Mr Heskins finished on an optimistic note, saying: “I believe we are coming through the other side and, while the hospitality industry is still going to struggle over the next couple of years, the future is looking more positive.”

He concluded: “I will save the gushy thank you stuff until the actual end but, in the meantime, I would like to say thank you all for your support over the last 10 years and to all the fantastic people who have worked behind the bar and in the kitchen.

“You have made The Catherine Wheel what it is today.”