Announcement on the Old Black Lion, Northampton
It was announced today on 7 November 2025 that Phipps Northampton Brewery Company will no longer be the operating partner at the soon-to-be-opened Old Black Lion pub on Marefair in Northampton.
The pub, which has been empty since 2018, has received funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, West Northamptonshire Council, HM Treasury, via the Towns Fund, and the Architectural Heritage Fund.
The Churches Conservation Trust (CCT) has repaired and revitalised this important community asset, which sits next door to the Grade I Listed St Peter’s Church in the centre of Northampton. When open, the Old Black Lion will offer a traditional welcome to visitors whilst also helping to generate funds to support the work of CCT in Northamptonshire, and importantly, providing neighbouring Grade I Listed St Peter’s Church, with a more sustainable future.
CCT Chief Executive, Greg Pickup, says: "The primary aim of the project has been to reinstate the Old Black Lion as an important community asset, open for business and once again serving the local community. Although Phipps Brewery will no longer be the pub operator, we hope to be able to work with them again in the future, as an important part of the town’s brewing heritage." We will be working with West Northamptonshire Council as a key partner to secure suitable hospitality operators for the pub business.
Following the many unavoidable delays in the redevelopment of the OBL and the retirement of Phipps NBC's Managing Director Alaric Neville this July, we came to the sad conclusion that taking on the huge responsibility of relaunching the Old Black Lion pub no longer fitted in with Phipps' plans for 2025 and beyond. We wish the CCT and any future operator well and look forward to seeing this historic Northampton pub trading once more.
CCT is committed to working with partners on the Old Black Lion project and the successful operation of the site. Although we are unable to say who the pub operator will be yet, we will make an announcement on this as soon as possible.
© CCT
Date written: 7th November 2025