Northumberland market town pub sold to leading pub company and brewer through Christie & Co
Specialist business property adviser Christie & Co has announced the sale of an iconic pub in rural Northumberland, which has been acquired by Greene King in a seven-figure investment deal.
Business. Built around You.
Your expert business property advisers


The Dirty Bottles in Alnwick, which has been serving its community for more than 200 years, had been owned by local entrepreneur Mark Jones since 2014. Under Mark’s ownership, the pub has undergone many changes, including the acquisition and incorporation of 34 Narrowgate (formerly Oscars) and the development of adjoining properties 28 and 30 Narrowgate.
The pub has now been acquired by Greene King, the country’s leading pub company and brewer, through a deal brokered by Christie & Co.
Richard Smith, Estates Director at Greene King said: “The Dirty Bottles has a rich and fascinating history in Alnwick and under Mark’s ownership has significantly evolved over the past decade to combine history and heritage with a modern contemporary feel.
“We want to retain and build on everything about the pub that makes it such a success, while also helping to invest in its future.”
Former owner Mark Jones comments: “As an Alnwick lad, I am really proud to have transformed what was a derelict, unloved row of buildings into a sympathetically restored and bustling hospitality venue, taking turnover from zero to circa £3,000,000. As well as giving locals and tourists somewhere of real quality to drink, eat and stay, we have also created and sustained around 40 jobs for local people. I have thoroughly enjoyed owning and operating The Dirty Bottles, but my real passion is redeveloping and refurbishing buildings. I have a number of other projects in the pipeline across the county, as well as my co-owned camping and glamping business.”
David Cash, Regional Director at Christie & Co who brokered the deal, comments: “The Dirty Bottles is a superb example of a pub/restaurant with rooms which has benefitted from security via multiple income streams, providing some protection from the challenges that the wider industry has faced over recent years. Huge credit to Mark and his team for remaining innovative and tenacious in their approach to operating a hospitality business in the current climate.
“The sale is one of 220 pub and restaurant sales we brokered in 2024 and highlights the demand for quality assets in what is perceived by many to be a non-existent market. There is absolutely demand for hospitality businesses, despite the economic and political landscape we are in.”
For further information on this press release, contact:
Jasmine Davis, Corporate Communications Manager
P: 07561 115179
E: jasmine.davis@christie.com
Contact the agent:
David Cash, Regional Director – Pubs & Restaurants
P: 07736 621 023
E: david.cash@christie.com
Visit our Business Search page to find out more about current listings.