Look inside new Yarm High Street pub Cask and Barrel

After weeks of early mornings and late nights, Eddie Buck has opened the doors to the High Street’s latest offering specialising in fine wines, real ales, and single malts. 

The new venture first launched at Winpenny House on August 23 following a revamp of the former Arabian Nights restaurant, which closed in May. 

The idea for Cask and Barrel initially came about when Eddie, who is also CEO of business consultancy SHR International Group, was discussing the loss of the town’s former micropub The New Inn, his favourite in the town centre. 

The 64-year-old said he wanted to take the concept of The New Inn, which closed in 2023 after three years, and bring it to a bigger space, with a rotating selection of real ales alongside wines and whiskey that are unique to the High Street. 

He’s also hoping to fuse the traditional vibe of the pub, which has undergone a more than £30,000 revamp, with Afro Caribbean grub later down the line. 

Cask and Barrel owner Eddie Buck (Image: Chris BOOTH)

Eddie, who lives in Egglescliffe, said: “We have got whisky and wines that you will not find anywhere else on the High Street. 

“The fridge has various bottles and the front bar has real ale, IPAs, and lighter ales on offer. 

“It will change on a week to week basis; we had four new ales this week and two just at the end of last week and when they have gone we will be replacing them with new ales.”

Cask and Barrel owner Eddie Buck (Image: Chris BOOTH)

Eddie, who has held his own personal licence since 2005 and been in the trade since 1993, has spent the last month or two refurbishing the space following Arabian Nights’ closure. 

“When we took over the place had dark green walls, so we stripped everything out”, he explained. 

“We’ve put wood panelling on one wall and we have removed a row of tables and chairs and replaced it with a bar and high stools.

Cask and Barrel in Yarm (Image: Chris BOOTH)

“I have been coming into the premises at seven or eight in the morning and then leaving at midnight the next morning for the last three to four weeks!”

The cellar has also had a refresh, with a wooden structure removed and a metal container erected in its place. 

But there is still more to do - with Eddie looking ahead to opening upstairs as a restaurant space into next year following a revamp of the former Arabian Nights kitchen. 

Cask and Barrel in Yarm (Image: Chris BOOTH)

He said: “We’ve added a lick of paint here and there. Upstairs is going to be a kitchen and restaurant but it needs complete [refurbishment], it’s a bigger job than downstairs. 

“It needs ripping out and going back to the brick. But it will probably seat between 30 to 40 covers once open.”
 

A ‘bouncing’ start

Eddie said the first night for the Cask and Barrel last month was “bouncing”, with punters praising the venue as “fantastic” from the get go. 

The businessman, who once ran a pub on the River Thames before moving from London to Teesside around 40 years ago, said: “It was full to capacity! 

Cask and Barrel in Yarm (Image: Chris BOOTH)

“Since then, Saturday was steady away, but for everyone in Yarm it was quiet, and then Monday was steady again.

“Neighbours are coming in saying they would like to introduce themselves.

“We have had a range of ages from guys in their early and mid 20s right up to people in their late 70s. The average age is probably 40.” 

Cask and Barrel in Yarm (Image: Chris BOOTH) Cask and Barrel in Yarm (Image: Chris BOOTH)

Once established, a food menu is planned to be introduced, fusing Afro Caribbean cuisine with British and Mediterranean food. 

Think jerk chicken, beef stew, and pub classics like steak and chips (just with some additional spices) paired with the pub’s regularly changing drink selections. 

Eddie continued: “Hopefully in November I am looking to offer some small plates downstairs. I would be producing it at home and bringing it in - but it could be pushed back to December.”

You can keep up with the latest from Cask and Barrel on the venue's Facebook page.