The Hartlepool firm’s ‘strategic overview’ has led to the planned of disposal of the regional pubs
The Mitre in Bishop Auckland is now up for sale(Image: Christie & Co)
Four North pubs have been placed on the market by their owner following a strategic assessment of its UK portfolio. Hartlepool brewing and hospitality operator Camerons Brewery has owned and operated the highly successful Head of Steam brand since purchasing it in 2013.
Throughout the years, the brand has expanded to bring its proven concept across the nation, growing it into a collection of 16 locations in major towns and cities. From modest origins in Newcastle the traditional pub company – initially established by Tony and Carolyn Brookes in 1995 – now operates in cities including Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Hull and Liverpool.
However, specialist commercial property consultant Christie and Co has now been appointed to market four pubs on behalf of Camerons Brewery following an evaluation of its estate. The properties available are The Wheelhouse in Washington, which carries a freehold guide price of £275,000, The Mitre in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, which carries a freehold guide price of £350,000, and the Head of Steam in Newcastle city centre, which is offered for sale and leaseback with a guide price of £450,000.
The list is rounded off by the Head of Steam in Hull, which has a freehold asking price of £475,000. The Head of Steam in Neville Street will continue under the renowned brand, with incoming tenants positioned to develop it further.
The decision follows Camerons Brewery’s sale of 26 pubs to FB Taverns for £8.25m two years ago. The business, which produces lagers and beers including Strongarm and Röad Crew, offloaded the freehold tenanted pubs to the London firm to concentrate on its brewery operations and managed pubs, including the Head of Steam chain, reports Chronicle Live.
John Foots, finance director for Camerons, said: “We have undertaken a strategic overview of the estate and identified these four sites for disposal.
The Head of Steam in Hull(Image: Christie & Co)
“As is well-publicised, we sold our leased and tenanted estate in 2024. The Mitre and The Wheelhouse are amongst the last of our community pubs operating under franchise, and it makes sense for us to explore a sale.
“The Head of Steam in Hull is a great site but is now somewhat of an outlier when you look across the wider Head of Steam brand, which we are very keen on expanding after our recent success in Manchester.
“The Head of Steam on Neville Street is one of our oldest sites operating under that brand and it has helped shape the rest of the estate in many ways, so we are keen to stay in there. We’re massively confident we can continue to trade well and so a sale and leaseback works brilliantly for us.”
David Cash, regional director – Pubs and Restaurants at Christie and Co, commented: “We have worked with Camerons on a number of sites over the years, and in 2025 brokered sales of Sanctuary in Scarborough and The Rattler in South Shields on their behalf. We expect these new opportunities to be well-received in the market and encourage interested parties to get in touch.”
Mr Cash is additionally representing the proprietor of Tokyo Bar in Newcastle, which was likewise placed on the market this week carrying a £1.25m asking price.