Greene King opens 30th Nest pub in Wales

The Clive in Cardiff has reopened as a Nest Pub following a £350,000 investment by Greene King Pub Partners, marking the first franchise site for the operator in Wales. The pub is the first in a pipeline of Welsh openings Greene King has planned for 2026.

Nest Pubs, introduced by Greene King as part of its wider franchise expansion, are wet-led, high-street pubs with a focus on affordable and community-based entertainment, food and drink. Like its additional concept Hive Pubs, Nest Pubs are aimed at those with pub management or assistant pub management experience who are looking to take the step up and run their own pub business.

The Clive renovations include an overhaul of internal trading areas, new furniture, a fully developed sports area equipped with interactive dart lanes and an improved garden area.

The pub will be run by franchisee Nathan Sutton, a Cardiff local who has previously managed several sites in the city. The brand plans to open two more pubs in Wales this year and is actively recruiting managers looking to run their own businesses.

A franchisee in Wales can take on a Nest franchise pub from an initial cost of £3,000 which covers agreement fees, induction, and on-site training. Income is based on a percentage of food and drink sales, with additional opportunities for profit-sharing and performance-based bonuses.