300-year-old Leeds city centre pub secures new lease

The owner of Whitelock’s Ale House in Leeds has negotiated a new lease that enables it to sell craft ales from his own brewery and other independent Yorkshire breweries, alongside traditional Yorkshire beers.

Whitelock’s, which is celebrating its 300th anniversary this year and is the oldest existing licensed pub in the city centre, was taken over by Ed Mason in 2012.

Ed is also the proprietor of The Five Points Brewing Company in East London and The Deramore Arms in York.

Whitelock’s was tied to the Spirit Pub Company, which meant Ed was unable to sell products from his own brewery but with the help of York-based Langleys Solicitors, he has negotiated a new lease that is free-of-tie.

Launched in late 2012, the brewery has won awards for its craft beers which include Five Points Pale, Hook Island Red, Railway Porter and Five Points IPA.

The pub, located off the city’s main shopping street Briggate, is currently transforming its neglected function room into a speciality craft beer bar.

Ed Mason said: “This is a beautiful, historic pub that has a special place in the heart of the local community. We are delighted to be helping it celebrate its 300th Anniversary and are committed to its long term future. Our new lease means we can offer our customers an even wider range of high quality independent beers.”

Tim Cross, partner at Langleys Solicitors, added: “The new lease will give Ed the freedom to continue his evolution of this fantastic venue, while retaining the heritage that makes it such a popular choice for drinkers and diners. Five Points Brewing Company is growing fast and we look forward to working closely with Ed as he continues to build this exciting business.”

Whitelock’s Ale House was first licensed as The Turk’s Head in 1715, when it catered for merchants and traders from Briggate market. The licence was granted to John Lupton Whitelock in 1867 and the Whitelock family purchased the pub in the 1880s. The pub was refurbished in 1886 and many of those features have survived to the present day, including the marble topped bar, etched mirrors and glass.