Welsh pub fire update: Hare & Hounds owners on insurance delay 2026

Key Points

• Hare & Hounds pub in Aberthin, which is a 300-year-old building near Cowbridge, was affected by a fire on Thursday, June 11, 2026.
• The owner of the pub, Tom and Sarah Watts-Jones, has provided an update after two months, saying thank you to their supporters and informing about the situation.
• All the bars and more furniture than expected have been saved from the fire.
• The insurance process has been slower than expected, postponing the beginning of the renovation process.
• Some of the employees are working at other locations of the owners while the pub is still closed.
• As mentioned previously, the dining area and the area above the pub were burned down in the fire.
• This pub received the award “Michelin Bib Gourmand” for nine years already and was included in the list of the best 100 pubs according to the Good Food Guide.
• Firefighters from several stations arrived at the scene after the fire alarm made at 8.30am on June 11.
• According to Sarah Watts-Jones, who was there when the fire happened, it was horrible and felt like grieving process.

Wales Fire (Wales Times) June 13, 2026 – Fire crews were called to the 300-year-old Hare & Hounds pub in Aberthin, near Cowbridge, at 8.30am on Thursday, June 11, 2026, after the venue was reported to be alight. South uk/fire/">Wales Fire and Rescue Service deployed crews, appliances, a water bowser and an aerial hydraulic platform from Bridgend, Llantwit Major, Barry, Pontypridd, Kenfig Hill and Ely to tackle the blaze. South Wales Police asked people to avoid the area and use alternative routes while emergency services worked at the scene on Maendy Road. The pub’s owners, Tom and Sarah Watts-Jones, who reopened and renovated the site in early 2015, said the most important thing was that everyone was safe and expressed gratitude to firefighters and all who helped. In an initial social media statement on the day, the pub said it was “still taking it all in and working out what comes next”, adding that the Hare & Hounds “has stood at the heart of this village for over 300 years, and with the support of this incredible community, it will again”.

What is the latest update from the Hare & Hounds owners after the fire?

Two months on from the blaze, Tom and Sarah Watts-Jones have provided an update to regulars and locals via Instagram, acknowledging they had been “a bit quiet” about developments at the pub. As reported by WalesOnline, the owners said they “managed to rescue all of the bar memorabilia, and a lot more furniture than we initially thought, which is positive”. However, they added that “unfortunately insurance is taking a lot longer than we were initially led to believe”. The owners stated they are “still pushing, and hopefully we’ll be able to start work restoring our beautiful pub in the coming months”. In the interim, “some of our lovely team are working hard in our other sites”, the post said, before thanking supporters and adding: “We very much hope that we will be back soon!”

How badly was the Hare & Hounds damaged in the June 2026 blaze?

Earlier reporting by WalesOnline indicated that the fire left the pub with “no dining room as that, and the space above were destroyed by the fire”. The Hare & Hounds has been the holder of a Michelin Bib Gourmand for nine years and was named in the Good Food Guide’s list of the best 100 pubs, underscoring its standing as one of Wales’ most highly regarded pubs. On the day of the incident, images showed thick smoke billowing from the building as firefighters worked to bring the flames under control. A fire service spokesperson confirmed the incident was ongoing as multiple appliances attended, reflecting the scale of the response required at the historic site.

What have the owners said about the emotional impact of the fire?

At the time of the fire, owner and director Sarah Watts-Jones described the day as “horrible”, recalling “just watching somewhere that we’d all worked so hard on smoking, with no idea of how bad the damage had been until much later in the day when we were allowed in”. She added that the experience had “almost been a grieving process, as we’ve realised sentimental things that we’ve lost that can never been replaced”. In their latest update, the owners’ tone remained measured, focusing on practical progress while expressing appreciation for the community’s continued support.

Which emergency services responded to the Hare & Hounds pub fire?

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service received the initial call at 8.30am on June 11 and mobilised resources from several stations across the region. A fire service spokesperson listed crews and equipment from Bridgend, Llantwit Major, Barry, Pontypridd, Kenfig Hill and Ely, including a water bowser and an aerial hydraulic platform. South Wales Police issued public safety advice, asking people to avoid the area and use alternative routes while emergency operations were underway. No injuries were reported in connection with the incident, according to statements issued on the day.

When might the Hare & Hounds reopen after restoration work begins?

The owners have not provided a specific reopening date, citing delays in the insurance process as a key factor holding up restoration. In their Instagram update, they said they “hopefully we’ll be able to start work restoring our beautiful pub in the coming months”, indicating that physical repairs have not yet commenced. Until work begins and progresses, the timeline for reopening remains uncertain, with the team focusing on keeping supporters informed as plans develop. Some staff have been redeployed to the owners’ other sites in the meantime, maintaining employment and operational continuity across their businesses.

Background: how did the Hare & Hounds develop before the 2026 fire?

The Hare & Hounds in Aberthin has stood at the heart of the Vale of Glamorgan village for more than three centuries, becoming a focal point for locals and visitors alike. The pub reopened in early 2015 when local chef Tom Watts-Jones and his wife, Sarah, took over and renovated the site, investing in its food offer and hospitality standards. Over the following years, the venue earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand for nine consecutive years and was included in the Good Food Guide’s list of the best 100 pubs in the UK, reflecting consistent quality and reputation. The bar room became known for its memorabilia, much of which the owners confirmed had been rescued following the June 2026 blaze.

Prediction: how could this development affect the local community and hospitality sector?

The prolonged closure of the Hare & Hounds is likely to affect regular patrons, local suppliers and the wider hospitality ecosystem in Aberthin and the Vale of Glamorgan, particularly given the pub’s role as a community hub and its national recognition. If insurance delays continue, the timeline for restoration could extend further, potentially reducing footfall for nearby businesses that benefit from pub visitors and limiting employment opportunities for staff tied to the venue. Conversely, the owners’ commitment to restoring the pub and the community’s expressed support may help sustain interest and loyalty, positioning the Hare & Hounds for a strong return once work begins and a reopening date is confirmed. For the regional hospitality sector, the incident underscores the vulnerability of historic venues to major disruptions and the importance of robust insurance and contingency planning to safeguard long-standing establishments.