1st November 2008
Attempted sale of Swan & Rushes failed. Pub still on market.
3rd October 2006
Marco Bani, erstwhile landlord, deputy landlord and customer of the Swan & Rushes died this morning in the Leicester Royal Infirmary after a long illness. He was a friend to many in Leicester and will be greatly missed. Funeral 12.45 on Thurs 12/10/6 at Gilroes. Wake at the Swan & Rushes from around 2pm.
7th April 2006
To: Customers of and suppliers to the Swan & Rushes, Leicester.
I am delighted to announce that the Swan & Rushes pub, Leicester, will be returning to the control of Mainly Beer Ltd in the Spring of 2006. The pub will be managed by myself, Grant Cook. As before, it will be run as a traditional real ale house, free of tie and specialising in high quality imported beers. My reappearance may come as a surprise to some of you but there was always a chance this could happen. The business arrangement negotiated before I went travelling with my partner Heidi was very complex and based on certain conditions being met. As things have panned out, not all of the conditions were fulfilled. The key thing is that I am back, full of enthusiasm and determined to return the Swan to its former status.
The handover date has yet to be agreed but I expect the Swan & Rushes to return to the control of Mainly Beer Ltd in the next few weeks.
Very best regards, Grant Cook  Mainly Beer Ltd.
The Background. Given I said farewell to customers, staff and suppliers in 2004/2005, some people may be wondering why I am soon to be back running the Swan. Here's the story:
Basically, in early 2004 I decided I needed some time off - about a year would do. This was so I could have a decent break to go travelling with my partner Heidi. To clear the way for this trip I decided to sell my pubs - but not at any price and not to anyone. In the end I sold the Criterion freehold to the Pig Pub Company (PPC) and signed a management agreement with them in respect to the Swan and Rushes, a leasehold pub. Th is was a complex business agreement that should in theory have seen them take on both pubs in the long term. There was always a slight chance however that the Swan deal would not go through and that I would return to take back the pub. This is what has happened and I am delighted to be back.
I hope this is welcome news. Everyone who knows me knows that I am highly passionate about beer and determined to offer the finest real ales and the best beers from around the world. The time away has set my energy levels back up where they were a few years ago. Various aspects of the pub will be developed in the coming months - not least to cope with the impact of the smoking ban. Improvements in many areas are being considered.I hope to see you all soon, Grant