Peaky Blinders Enthusiasts Express Disappointment Over Real Garrison Pub
Fans of the acclaimed historical crime drama Peaky Blinders have embarked on pilgrimages to locate the real-life Garrison pub, only to be met with profound disappointment upon discovering its current state. The pub, which serves as the iconic headquarters for the Shelby family in the series, has undergone a significant transformation that has left many visitors regretting their journey.
The Garrison's Central Role in the Series
Created by Steven Knight, Peaky Blinders first graced television screens thirteen years ago, airing 36 episodes across six series between 2013 and 2022 on the BBC. The Garrison pub is at the very heart of the narrative, featuring prominently from the outset as the base from which Tommy Shelby and his family expand their criminal empire. The BBC iPlayer synopsis describes the show as a "stylish, epic gangster saga" set in the lawless streets of 1920s Birmingham.
Fan Pilgrimages and Recent Visits
Interest in the Garrison pub has surged following the release of the brand-new film Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man on Netflix earlier this month. Many enthusiasts have recently traveled to Small Heath in Birmingham, eager to see the iconic boozer that plays such a pivotal role in the franchise. However, their excitement quickly turned to dismay when they arrived at the location on the corner of Garrison Lane and Witton Street.
Instead of the atmospheric pub depicted in the series, visitors found a kitchen and bedroom specialist store named Elegant. One fan from Coventry shared their experience, stating, "I wanted to do a bit of a tour doing the main locations now the film is out. I went to the Black Country Museum a couple of weeks ago and that was really good as that was recognisably from the show. But this is a bit underwhelming to be honest, I wish I hadn’t bothered."
Local Reactions and Suggestions
Local residents have echoed the sentiments of disappointed fans. Louise Swann, 36, remarked, "I came to take pictures of the pub and was disappointed to find it’s not a pub anymore." Another resident, Glynn Jones, 65, suggested, "They should have turned it into a tourist attraction. The pub is a big part of the series, so it’s a bit of a shame. Now you come down here disappointed because it’s a kitchen place. There’s not a lot you can do about it – it was a great pub as well."
Context of the New Film and Creator Insights
This wave of visits coincides with the release of Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, which premiered in cinemas on March 6 and launched on Netflix on March 20. The film stars Cillian Murphy reprising his role as Thomas Shelby, nearly four years after the last season aired. Set during World War Two in Birmingham, the film features a star-studded cast including Barry Keoghan, Sophie Rundle, Stephen Graham, Rebecca Ferguson, and Tim Roth.
Ahead of the film's release, creator Steven Knight recommended that fans re-watch key episodes to enhance their viewing experience. He highlighted the first episode from 2013, which "lays out what the whole series is about" and introduces Tommy Shelby in a definitive manner. Knight also pointed to the finale of the second season, featuring a critical assassination plot, and the series six finale, where Tommy rides away on a white horse, symbolizing his departure from his former life.
The transformation of the Garrison pub from a fictional gangland hub to a mundane retail space has starkly contrasted with the dramatic and stylish world of Peaky Blinders, leaving fans to grapple with the reality that the iconic location no longer exists as they imagined.
