Meet the Publican - Grant Cook

Grant Cook has been around in Leicester for a while now, so before he jets off around the world we thought we ought to do a “Meet The Publican” on him.

Grant was born in Guildford, Surrey in December 1959. He attended George Abbot Secondary Modern School in Guildford, followed by Hull University from 1978 until 1981. He was also the assistant steward at Guildford golf club in 1981/2 before travelling to Asia. On his return, he attended Birmingham University studying for his master’s degree in philosophy, which he achieved in 1984.

From 1985 to 1988, he was employed by the GLC as a trainee systems analyst and programmer. Then followed a trip to Asia, again, and Australia working in computing, returning in 1990 to work for Cornhill Insurance Company, Zeneca Agrochemicals and Shell Chemicals until 2000 when he had a brilliant idea: Let’s buy a run down 'keg' pub in Leicester and turn it in to a Real Ale pub.

At the time, folk thought he was mad taking on such a challenge, however in August 2000 The Swan & Rushes did open as a Real Ale pub run by Grant Cook and co-managed with Simon “Sammy” Saunders, a friend of his brother’s from university. Grant specialised in Imported Bottled Beers, something of a rarity in Leicester. During his time here, he met his partner, Heidi King, a PhD student.

Following the success of The Swan & Rushes, Grant purchased the run down Nags Head on Millstone Lane from Hardy’s & Hansons Brewery in November 2002. After a few alterations, the Leicester CAMRA Christmas social was held there that year as a preview and the pub opened to all on 4^thJanuary 2003.

Grant has also been very much a CAMRA activist in his time. Following his interest in Hull University Real Ale society, he joined CAMRA in 1981 as a life member.  Since 1983, he has had a number of roles within CAMRA, including, Head of Security for Not The Great British Beer Festival at Birmingham in 1984, Head of Foyer at Brighton GBBF, Head of Financial Security at Leeds 1988, Deputy of Foreign Beer at Docklands 1990, then worked mainly with foreign beers until the late 1990’s. He has been based at several CAMRA Branches as well. These include Birmingham, Bexley, South East London, Surrey & Hants Borders, where he was Chairman for one term of office and Leicester where he has been Branch Secretary, Beer Festival Licensee and Chairman of the recently reformed Tasting Panel. He has also had involvement in Brussels and helped to organise the first New England Beer Festival in Boston, Massachusetts.

Grant has one brother Ross, born in 1967 and one sister Mhairi, born in 1961. Grant’s interests are travelling, drinking, good food, and scuba diving. Grant has done a lot for “Real Ale” in Leicester during his time here and, although he has sold The Criterion and the lease on The Swan & Rushes to The Pig Pub Company, the pubs are expected to continue to trade as we know them. The new owner Chris Wright will be meeting Leicester CAMRA at our Christmas social on 15^th December at The Swan & Rushes. Grant’s pubs have been awarded various CAMRA accreditations over the years for the quality of the beers.

Grant is leaving Leicester with Heidi in 2005, to tour the world for a year or so. We wish them well, thank Grant for his contributions to Real Ale in Leicester and look forward to seeing their return to Leicester.

Keith Williams.

This page last updated: May 28, 2008

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