With over 13,900 hospitality venues closing their doors since March 2020 (CGA & AlixPartners, June 2024), the British pub is under more pressure than ever. As community spaces continue to disappear, Chase Spirits is championing the important role pubs play in British culture — and taking action to help keep them alive.
This summer, Chase Spirits has partnered with Chelsea award-winning garden designer and Chase Spirits Brand Ambassador Tom Massey to reimagine one of the pub’s most iconic features: the garden. The initiative launches with the unveiling of a newly transformed outdoor space at The Waterfront Pub in Battersea, which opens to the public this July.
This project marks the third edition of Chase Spirits’ ongoing commitment to bringing people closer to nature, inspired by the brand’s ethos of being “inspired by the wild.” Following two successful years as an RHS sponsor and a garden transformation at Miller’s Terrace, this latest chapter continues that journey — reimagining green spaces in meaningful, community-driven ways.
Designed as a modern sanctuary in the heart of the city, the space features naturalistic planting, eco-conscious touches and thoughtful design details — creating a true destination rather than just a backdrop. It’s part of Chase Spirits’ ongoing commitment to inspire landlords and licensees with creative ways to revitalise their venues and engage their communities.
The renovation is rooted in the belief that pub gardens are more than places to perch — they’re cultural cornerstones. New research from Chase Spirits highlights just how treasured they are, with 57% of Brits saying pub gardens are central to British culture and over half (51%) believing the experience can’t be replicated anywhere else.
Tom Massey, award-winning garden designer and Chase Spirits Brand Ambassador, said:
“Pub gardens have long been part of my British summertime, but they can be so much more than just a place to have a drink. By introducing plants into hard, urban spaces like this, we can create something more immersive and welcoming — not only for people, but for wildlife too. Plants cool the air, provide shade, and help us feel more connected to nature, which is especially important in hectic, built-up city environments.”
As British pubs continues to navigate a challenging landscape, Chase Spirits remains committed to supporting venues through innovative activations, creative inspiration, and a celebration of what makes British pubs so special.