Joule’s Brewery is delighted to announce that planning permission has now been granted for its plans to restore and invest in The New Inn, Harborne.
The approval marks a significant milestone for the independent brewery, based in Market Drayton, which has spent the last two years getting to know the pub, listening to the local community and carefully developing plans to protect the character of one of Harborne’s best-loved pubs.
For Joule’s, this is far more than another development, as a small independent brewery, every investment we make is one we’ve worked hard towards. We reinvest in our pubs because we believe they’re worth preserving, and The New Inn represents the biggest investment we’ve ever made into one of our Taphouses, with more than £2 million committed to its future.
“We’re absolutely delighted that our plans have been approved. We’d like to thank everyone who has supported the project so far, whether that’s by coming along to our consultation evening, sharing their thoughts or taking the time to support the application. The response from Harborne has been fantastic, and we’re really looking forward to the next chapter. We’re thankful to the Local Planning Authority for supporting our application and for their collective support and understanding in the importance of preserving community pubs to ensure they can thrive for many years to come.”
Anna Brakel, Development Director, Joule's Brewery
The approved plans have been carefully designed to protect everything that makes The New Inn special. The much-loved original bar and Victorian parlour rooms will remain at the heart of the pub, complemented by thoughtfully designed new spaces and an extensive pub garden development that will help secure the building’s future while respecting its history and character.
While planning permission has now been approved, work will not begin immediately whilst we plan and prepare for the project next year. We’ll be sharing further updates on the next stages of the project and timings for the restoration in due course, but until then The New Inn will continue to trade as normal under the fantastic stewardship of landlords Ade and Bernie, who continue to give locals the warm welcome the pub is known for.
The announcement follows another exciting milestone for Joule’s in Birmingham with the opening of the Red Lion in the Jewellery Quarter on 14th July 2026. The restored Victorian pub is the latest example of the brewery’s approach to breathing new life into historic buildings while respecting their character and heritage. Anyone interested in seeing that approach first-hand is warmly invited to pop in and experience the Red Lion, ahead of work beginning at The New Inn.
Joule’s will continue to share updates as plans progress and looks forward to sharing the next chapter of The New Inn’s story with the Harborne community.
“We’re a small local brewery, and projects like this only happen because people continue to support what we do. We feel incredibly privileged to have the opportunity to care for buildings like The New Inn, and we never lose sight of the responsibility that comes with that. Our aim has always been simple: to restore this wonderful pub with care and create somewhere that Harborne can continue to enjoy for many years to come.”
Vicky Colclough, Managing Director, Joule's Brewery