Amber Taverns' new Salisbury pub set to open this year

As previously reported, Amber Taverns has been given permission to turn 40 Blue Boar Row into a ‘drinking establishment’ with a beer garden.

The building was formerly home to Pizza Hut before it closed in September 2020 as part of a company-wide restructuring plan.

The property, sold by Myddelton & Major on behalf of FiveM Developments, will now form part of the Amber Taverns chain, which operates more than 175 pubs across the UK.

40 Blue Boar Row in Salisbury (Image: Myddelton & Major)

A major refurbishment is planned for this year, with the venue expected to open to the public before the end of 2026.

Mark Brooke, CEO of Amber Taverns, said: "We’re all really excited about the opening of our new pub in Salisbury.

"The team are working hard on finalising the details of the refurbishment, ready to open later this year.

"At Amber, we’re all about offering people a fantastic environment to enjoy a great drink, served by a friendly team, which we’re sure people will get when they visit our new pub."

The site has a long history in food and drink, having once formed part of the Cadena Café chain, a forerunner to modern coffee brands like Costa and Starbucks.

Permission to convert the property into a "drinking establishment" with a beer garden was granted by Wiltshire Council on December 10, 2025.

The plans include new frontage, a garden area for patrons, and two soundproofed karaoke areas.

However, the venue will not include kitchen facilities, as Amber Taverns’ business model focuses on offering drinks with only basic bar snacks.

Due to concerns about potential noise, conditions were placed on the use of the beer garden.

It cannot be used by patrons after 9pm from Sunday to Thursday, and after 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

In the planning documents, a council case officer stated that the pub would contribute positively to the area.

They said: "The proposed change of use would ensure the site is kept in use, thereby continuing to contribute to the vitality of the city centre and the night-time economy."

The company focuses on high-standard refurbishments, a broad drinks selection, and an audio-visual package that includes the full TNT and Sky Sports portfolio.

Their website states: "We are passionate about our Public houses and the communities that they serve.

"We ensure that they are refurbished to a very high standard and offer a fantastic drinks selection and audio visual package including the full TNT and Sky Sports portfolio."