The Wheatpieces opened on 15th December 1998, with an official opening ceremony given by the Mayor of Tewkesbury, Councillor R.C. Selby at midday Saturday 19th December. £1.1 million was spent on its construction. It was the first tied house of Morland of Abingdon to be established in Gloucestershire for almost one hundred years. (See the Three Horseshoes Inn at Downington, Lechlade). Ironically, soon after the Wheatpieces pub opened Morlands Brewery was taken over by Greene King.
Gloucestershire Echo, 6th March 1998 – Design for pub ‘too elaborate’: Plans for a pub at the Wheatpieces in Tewkesbury have gone back to the drawing board. Members of the borough council’s planning committee says the design is too elaborate. Abingdon-based pub chain and brewer wants to build the inn, which would have 42 car park spaces, on one acre at the new housing estate. It would include accommodation for the manager and assistant manager, community room, family bar with a play area and a skittle alley.
Councillors said the design for the pub needed simplifying. “What’s down here is over complicated and an elaborate entrance,” said Coun Alan Keyte.
Gloucestershire Echo, 24th September 1998 – Please name your new pub: Tewkesbury residents have been asked to think of a name for the town’s newest pub. Brewer Morland is spending £1.1 million on the new pub at the Wheatpieces development. It is due to open on 12th December and Morland is asking locals to come up with a suitable name. The pub will be fitted with a restaurant, children’s play area and a skittle alley. The new pub will be on the edge of the Wheatpieces development, close to the Eastern Relief Road.
Owners in 1998: Morland & Co, Brewers, Abingdon, Oxon
Owners in 2008: Greene King
Landlords at the Wheatpieces include:
1998 Gerry and Sue McLaughlin (managers)
2002 Phil Gash
2005 Sue Price
