Rock Point Inn and Cobb Gate Fish Bar sold to St Austell Brewery

The Rock Point Inn, Lyme Regis, has been bought by South West brewing and pub company St Austell Brewery for an undisclosed sum. 

The Cobb Gate Fish Bar, which had been under the same ownership since 1984, was also included in the purchase.

It's the Cornwall-based company's first acquisition in Dorset.

St Austell Brewery property director Adam Luck said: “We’re grateful to both Bettesworths for their advice and also to Gail Caddy, the previous owner of the Rock Point, for helping to make the transfer of ownership such a smooth one and we wish Gail every success with her next ventures.

“We have always considered the wider South West region as our heartland and have been growing our free trade business for many years. The acquisition of Bath Ales and our new distribution depot at Avonmouth means we can reach more readily to customers all the way down to the south coast and we are very proud to be taking on the Rock Point, our first pub in Dorset and home to so many fantastic and vibrant bars, pubs and hotels.”

Following completion of the purchase of the Rock Point Inn, the premises will remain closed for a number of months to allow for a complete restoration and refurbishment project to give the historic building, part of which is Grade II listed, a new lease of life.

Originally built towards the end of the 18th Century, numbers one and two Broad Street have played an integral role in the Cobb Gate end of Lyme Regis for more than 200 years.

Originally named Bank House, perhaps due to its proximity to the riverbank and mouth of the Lym, the larger Georgian building has been home to a glass and china emporium, a fishmongers and wine and spirit merchants before assuming its better-known role as a hotel and guest house in the early 20th Century.

SOLD: Previous Rock Point Inn proprietor, Gail Caddy, with St Austell Brewery's Adam Luck

Previously operating under the name of the Vaults lounge, the hotel was first referred to as the Rock Point in 1927 and, despite a name change to the Central Hotel in the 40s and being requisitioned for war service during WW2, reverted afterwards to the name by which it has been known to locals for more than 60 years.

As for the Cobb Gate Fish bar, the listed building had been exposed to the sea for decades before the development of the Cobb Gate sea defences, while the premises have been home to confectioners, boot and shoe makers, insurance agents and cafes.

Working with local agencies and British Listed Buildings, St Austell Brewery says it will be carrying out a 'full and sensitive restoration' of the buildings and will also be working with researchers from the Lyme Regis Museum to form a more complete understanding of the exact age of the Rock Point and fish bar before reopening.

Mr Luck added: “The Rock Point is such an amazing pub and a focal point of the local community. We will be talking and listening to everyone over the next few weeks to ensure we do what is right for the building taking into account its heritage and historic usage. We have a wealth of knowledge and experience in terms of both community and destination pubs and we want to be sure that the Rock Point will continue to play an important role for both locals and visitors alike when the work is complete.”