Sam Smith's brewery boss Humphrey Smith dies aged 81

Humphrey Smith, who led the Samuel Smith Old Brewery and its pub network for several decades, has passed away at the age of 81. The brewery, founded by his family in 1758 and situated in Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, grew under his stewardship from the 1980s onward, now operating approximately 200 pubs across the United Kingdom. The business became well-known for its unique policies, such as prohibiting mobile phones, music, televisions, and swearing on its premises, creating an environment described as a retreat from the digital world.

Ricard Sweeting, the mayor of Tadcaster, paid tribute to Smith, highlighting his reserved nature and principled character. He reflected on how Smith’s passing was met with shock by the local community, despite Smith’s period of ill health being kept private. “Tadcaster is in mourning,” Sweeting stated, acknowledging the significant role Smith had played in the town’s life beyond public view. The brewery’s flag was lowered to half-mast to honor his memory.

Smith’s leadership brought notable structural changes to the brewery, including a shift in how the pubs were managed. He transformed tenants into company-employed managers, which enabled the brewery to enforce its distinctive rules effectively. Sweeting remarked on Smith’s firm standards and underlying principles, explaining that many patrons respected and accepted the regulations because they understood the reasons behind them. This approach reflected Smith’s commitment to maintaining a particular atmosphere within his pubs.

Over the years, the brewery under Smith’s management also made headlines for sudden pub closures and strict enforcement of its house rules. For instance, several managers were reportedly dismissed abruptly for policy breaches. Notably, The Abbey pub in Derby closed in 2023 after photos were posted online against the brewery owner’s wishes, and The Shoulder of Mutton in Bradford shut unexpectedly in 2024. Furthermore, in 2016, the brewery opposed constructing a temporary footbridge over the River Wharfe on its land, calling the project a waste of public money before later agreeing to a council-led alternative nearby. Despite controversies, a York CAMRA spokesperson acknowledged Smith’s contributions to affordable real ale and positive community impact, while noting the challenges that lie ahead for his son in managing the brewery’s future

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