The late 18th century Travellers Inn, Hipperholme, is celebrating 20 years as part of Ossett Brewery’s pub group.
From Victorian tulip shows and its days as the headquarters of the local Rifle Club to its connection with the former railway station opposite, the Travellers has played its own part in the history of Hipperholme.
When Jamie Lawson, founder of Ossett Brewery Pub Co, acquired the freehold, the Travellers Inn was in need of significant investment, having seen little money spent on the building for a number of years. A national pub company had been looking to sell due to concerns over the building’s structural integrity, with flood water even running through the pub from behind during periods of heavy rainfall.
Despite the scale of the problems, Lawson saw the potential in the pub and, in what was very much a heart-over-head decision, decided it was worth the investment to rescue and restore it.
“When we acquired the Travellers Inn in 2005, we knew we were taking on a pub with a long history and a strong place within Hipperholme,” said Lawson. “It’s a great example of the kind of pub we want to be part of — somewhere with real character, a strong sense of place, and a connection to the people around it.
“Twenty years later, it’s fantastic to see that history continuing and to be celebrating this milestone with the team and our customers. Pubs like the Travellers are such an important part of what we do at Ossett, and we’re looking forward to raising a glass to the next chapter.”
