The re-opened pub has kept Wetherspoon’s prices but added music and TV sport – and now welcomes dogs
WHEN pub chain JD Wetherspoon announced the closure of The Bear’s Head last year, many in Penarth feared the loss of an affordable community pub.
But fast-forward eight months and the pub is not only surviving under new ownership — it’s thriving.
Now operated by Croeso Pubs Ltd, The Bear’s Head has retained the famous patterned carpets, refillable coffees and metal curry dishes of a Wetherspoon’s pub, but with the addition of live sports and music. And the regulars are back.
For Mary Allen and Colin Jenkins, The Bear’s Head has been a second home for more than two decades. They even have their own seats.
“I’ve lived in Penarth 22 years,” said Ms Allen. “And I’ve been coming here 22 years.”
Mr Jenkins smiles: “Twenty six for me. I was here the day it opened as a Wetherspoon’s and have been coming since.”
The regulars were wary when JD Wetherspoon pulled out of the pub last year but they are full of praise for the new management under Croeso Pubs Ltd, which also runs the likes of The Bluebell and The Discovery pubs in Cardiff.
It really does feel like a home away from home—for staff and customers alike.”
“It’s a real asset,” said Ms Allen. “You walk in and there are still the same people that know you — it’s not just a pub, it’s a part of this community.
“The staff and management are really good. They’re real people. They’re approachable and they listen.”
Nick Newman, area manager of Croeso Pubs, said they’d built a following before they even opened the doors.
“It’s been an absolutely lovely experience,” he said.
“Locals were popping by daily while we were still refurbishing. So we invited some in, showed them what we were doing. We didn’t want to change too much — people liked it the way it was.”
Croeso Pubs run multiple venues in Cardiff, including The Philharmonic and Daffodil. Since they took over the Bear’s Head in July, prices have remained low, and the menu has stayed familiar.
In classic ‘Spoons’ style, the toilets are still up two flights of stairs.
“There’s no point thinking you can open up and charge city prices,” said Mr Newman. “This is a community pub. Cost of living is a huge concern, and we want to keep accessible.
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“All our draught is under £5, and a pint of Bear’s Head bitter will set you back just £2.69. We could charge more, but we’d rather pass savings on.”
The Bear’s Head tries to buy and sell Welsh produce on its menu wherever it can. Their cask ales come from breweries like Grey Trees and Glamorgan. Their fish comes from Ashton’s in Cardiff and both coffee and meat suppliers are Cardiff-based.
“It’s not just a buzzword — we genuinely try to keep it local,” said Tom McCarthy, the deputy manager of the Bear’s Head. “Unlike Wetherspoon’s, all our food is cooked in house.
“We’ve had new regulars who never used to come in. Now they’re here all the time, telling us it feels different — better.
“It really does feel like a home away from home—for staff and customers alike.”
The team have also leaned into live sport, which has proven a major draw.
“Six Nations days have been electric,” said Mr McCarthy. “We weren’t expecting the turnout to be that strong, especially for the away games, but it’s been amazing.”
With the summer season approaching, The Bear’s Head hopes to welcome a steady stream of tourists alongside its loyal locals.
“We’re very much going to lock in more on the consistency — keep it as simple as possible,” said Mr McCarthy.
“We don’t want to overcomplicate it. If people love the food and atmosphere, that’s what matters.”
