EXCLUSIVE: Greene King opens first Nest Pub

The Palmer Tavern, located on Wokingham Road in Reading, Berkshire has become the first Nest Pub after a £360,000 investment by Greene King.

As part of the investment, the Palmer Tavern has been transformed to deliver the Nest Pubs concept, including new décor, fixtures and fittings throughout as well as a new bar, seating and more.

The pub also features two pool tables and a garden with outside seating.

In addition, the venue’s outdoor signage and overall presentation has also been upgraded in line with the Nest Pubs look and feel.

The Palmer Tavern will be operated by Samantha Lane, who has become the first ever Nest Pubs franchisee. 

Incredibly exciting ​

Lane said: “I’m so pleased with the transformation of the Palmer Tavern and cannot wait to open the doors and invite customers back into their local.

“Being the very first Nest Pub is an incredibly exciting new adventure for both me and my team – plus it makes the revamp and reopening of the pub even more special.

“My vision for the pub is to make it the hub of the community – a friendly, warm and welcoming home from home.

“As a concept, Nest Pubs is all about delivering a great community pub experience, so it is the perfect fit for me.

“Plus, I know I have the full backing and support of Greene King as one of their franchise partners. The future looks bright and I cannot wait to get the show on the road.”

Lane was previously a Greene King Pub Partners tenant operating the Albion in Reading, where she had also been general manager before becoming the tenant.

In addition, the team from the Albion, will be joining Lane at the Palmer Tavern – making it not only a female-led business but an all-female team.

Greene King first introduced the new concept earlier this year​, marking its second franchise concept after the launch of Hive Pubs in 2021, which now operates more than 45 sites and has seen more than £15m in investment​ from Greene King.

The Suffolk-based operator and brewer explained Nest Pubs will be wet-led sites, largely on busy high streets and in communities, aiming to provide “great value, an excellent experience and regular sport and entertainment”.

Alongside a wide drinks range including beer, ale, wines, spirits and low and no options, diners will also be catered for with pizzas available.

In addition, each Nest Pub will have Sky Sports and TNT Sports subscriptions with the sport offer being a key feature.

Ideal location ​

There will also be a regular calendar of entertainment from pub quizzes to live music and karaoke.

As with the Palmer Tavern, Greene King Pub Partners said it would be investing six-figure refurbishments into each Nest Pub, which will have their own unique identity, look and feel.

Nest Pub franchisees will require a £3,000 entry including agreement fees, inductions and on-site training.

Greene King​ Pub Partners marketing director Dan Robinson said: “We’re delighted to get our first Nest Pub off the ground and open.

“Located on the busy Wokingham Road that goes through Reading, the Palmer Tavern is an ideal location for our first Nest Pub.

“Our £360,000 investment has transformed the Palmer Tavern into a Nest Pub and we are really excited to see how the franchisee concept delivers.”