THE HISTORY

of East Street Pub Co.

 

Our journey as a family-run pub group in South Devon began as a small collection of pubs and eateries on East Street in Newton Abbot and has grown into an independent pub group proudly based across South Devon.

Founded on traditional values and a passion for warm hospitality, East Street Pub Co. is built on great service, characterful locations and a sense of community that keeps locals coming back time and time again.

WHERE IT ALL STARTED

The story began at the end of 2003, when Steve and Annie Narvidge took over The Union Inn on East Street in Newton Abbot.
 
With years of hospitality experience behind them, they built a strong local reputation for home-cooked food, friendly service and a warm, traditional pub atmosphere.
 
When the neighbouring Vecchia Roma restaurant closed, Steve and Annie saw an opportunity to expand. They transformed the building and reopened it as The Olde Tower, which later became Olive.

In 2019, Rio Grande was refurbished and reopened as Twelve Twenty, its name inspired by the year Newton Abbot’s historic clock tower was built.

The business then expanded beyond Newton Abbot, opening new locations across Paignton, Teignmouth, Torquay and Kingsteignton. Although The Union Inn and Olive later made way for new ventures, they remain an important part of the East Street Pub Co. story.

More than two decades later, Steve and Annie remain at the helm, working alongside their sons, Xander and Sammy, who lead the group as Operations Managers.

East Street Pub Co Newton Abbot origins
East Street Pub Co Newton Abbot origins
East Street Pub Co history South Devon

OUR VENUES TODAY

Today, East Street Pub Co. brings together a growing family of independent venues across South Devon. Each has its own identity and purpose, shaped by its location and the people who visit, while sharing the same commitment to warm hospitality, good service and memorable experiences.

Every venue serves a different purpose, but they all share the same approach: genuine hospitality, excellent service and spaces designed around the communities that use them.

Our venues now stretch across Newton Abbot, Kingsteignton, Paignton, Teignmouth and Torquay. Twelve Twenty offers an all-day café bar experience, while The Bell Inn and Ye Olde Jolly Sailor remain firmly rooted in traditional community hospitality. The Hyde Dendy and Harbour Inn create welcoming places for families, food, live sport and entertainment, while Street Golf and VIVA bring games, themed events and late-night fun to the group.
 
The Yacht introduces a more refined harbourside dining experience and, in 2026, was voted Best Bar in Devon in the Muddy Stilettos Awards. Our newest venture, Clay Cellar Studios, takes us into fitness and wellbeing, bringing together a gym, padel courts, group classes, recovery facilities and a café bar.
East Street Pub Co Newton Abbot origins
East Street Pub Co Newton Abbot origins
East Street Pub Co history South Devon