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Wed, 01 Jul 2026

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 Brewery boss who banned phones and swearing from pubs dies aged 81

Humphrey Smith had been at the helm of the Tadcaster brewer since the 1980s.
He ran the company for decades, which was established by his family in 1758. The firm owns around 200 pubs across the UK. Smith was a major landowner in Tadcaster, where he frequently lodged objections to planning applications. His son, Samuel, will take over the business, but has been left with a challenge of reopening many closed pubs and updating their "arcane operational rules". The brewery produces real ale and craft keg beers at affordable prices and provides a significant social impact within local communities. Locals have shared mixed opinions about Smith's legacy, with some describing him as "controversial" and "divisive", while others praise his commitment to producing high-quality beers.