The future of a popular North Curry village pub has been secured after St Austell Brewery acquired The Bird in Hand. Ravi Keshri and James Eyre will remain at the helm.
The company has purchased the pub as part of its growing presence in Somerset. It ensures one of the village’s most important community assets remains open for years to come.
For many residents, the news marks another chapter in the remarkable revival story of The Bird in Hand. Just over a year ago, the pub stood closed and deteriorating, before Keshri and Eyre stepped in and brought it back to life. The pair, who run other award-winning pubs in the local area, were inspired to act after seeing first-hand how much the closure affected North Curry residents.
After discovering the pub had been sold, subject to contract, James Eyre wrote a letter to the owner and left it on a car windscreen in the hope of opening a conversation. The gamble paid off and, in January 2025, the pair took over the site and began transforming it.
Community backing was immediate. During renovations, villagers flocked to a temporary trailer operating from the pub car park, where drinks and street food were served while work took place. Hundreds of people queued across successive weekends, eager to support the return of their local.
Today, The Bird in Hand has once again become a focal point for village life, serving locally-sourced food, supporting community groups, sponsoring sports teams, and helping with local events. The pub is operated by NNI Management Limited, with day-to-day operations led by Rebecca Tilleray and her team.
“As we continue to pursue the right acquisition opportunities, The Bird in Hand is a great strategic fit, and exactly the type of quality pub we look for within our 120-plus strong leased and tenanted estate,” said Gareth James, operations director at St Austell Brewery. “It’s a thriving community local in an area of Somerset where we see real opportunity to strengthen our presence.
“Ravi and James are exceptional operators. Their passion for pubs, the local community, and delivering great beer and food aligns perfectly with our values. We’re delighted to be working alongside them — as well as Rebecca and her team — and look forward to supporting The Bird in Hand’s continued success for many years to come.”
Eyre added: “One of the biggest attractions for us was the opportunity to partner with a business that genuinely understands and supports great pubs. St Austell Brewery has an outstanding reputation, a fantastic beer portfolio, and a model that allows operators like us to continue doing what we do best while benefiting from the strength of an established South West company.”
The operators are also looking to the future, with plans to restore an historic outbuilding as a traditional skittle alley.
