Poet’s old haunt is ‘a labour of love’ for its new owner
A FAN of renowned poet Dylan Thomas has bought his old drinking haunt – and plans to do it up as a “labour of love.”
Martyn Ingram, 57, decided to snap up the hotel to make sure it kept its identity and connection to the Under Milk Wood poet.
Thomas and his wife, Caitlin, were regular customers at the bar in Brown’s Hotel and it later became a popular tourist spot.
Visitors have included president Jimmy Carter, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, musician Patti Smith, Peter O’toole, Mick Jagger and Pierce Brosnan.
The hotel in Laugharne, Carmarthenshire, went on the market at £795,000, along with the nearby New Three Mariners pub at £395,000.
Martyn says he paid “below the asking price” for both properties with his partner Mel Hamilton-searle.
He said: “I feel a great affinity with Dylan Thomas and Laugharne, having holidayed in the area for many years. I know there was concern in Laugharne over who would buy Brown’s, and I really felt that I ought to secure this iconic building to keep its local identity and respect its heritage and architecture.
“I don’t think I will ever be making any money out of Brown’s – it’s just something I want to see work, and a labour of love.”
Martyn plans to lease out the restaurant and bar of Brown’s – with the 14-bedroomed hotel being run by Mel and the current manager.
The Mariners pub will continue to operate under its existing management.
Martyn, who owns engineering businesses in South Wales, said: “We’re planning on reopening Brown’s at the end of October.
“It’s a lovely ho hotel, and although w we will be doing some refurbishment on th the rooms, we will not no be making any structural a all te rations and an certainly not n taking away a the Dylan Thomas association.” The 18th Century hotel was owned by Penderyn Whisky chairman Nigel Short. He carried out a £1 million refurbishment eight years ago and retained all the original woodwork in the bar.
The grade two listed property had previously been owned by Men Behaving Badly actor Neil Morrissey and co-owners – who paid £670,000.
Martyn also owns a home called Sea View – which is where Thomas and his wife lived when they were first married.
He added: “I wanted to buy Brown’s to ensure that everyone visiting it has a really good, value-for-money experience, whether they are staying, eating in the restaurant or just having a drink.
“I’m hoping that it will really work and will help to raise the profile of Laugharne, as well as being used by locals as well.”
The hotel was visited by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall in 2013 – the first royalty in the town since Henry II in the 12th Century.