A Liverpool couple have been overwhelmed by the response after taking over a Liverpool pub following a six-week refurbishment. Tom and Aimee Reynolds became operator-managers of Breckfield Road's The Grove when it reopened on Saturday, July 4, after a £330k investment.
Transformation attracts crowds
The couple, who now live above the pub with their family, said the makeover has attracted both regulars and first-time visitors. Dad-of-four Tom, 45, told the ECHO: "The response has been amazing. People are still coming in just to take photos and videos because they're so shocked by the transformation."
The refurbishment included relocating the bar, installing new dart lanes, improving the beer garden and giving the venue what the 45-year-old described as "a complete transformation". The couple are no strangers to the licensed trade, having managed other pubs before, but said this particular area stood out because of its community spirit.
Community at the heart
Aimee, 36, from Norris Green, said: "Anfield is the heart of Liverpool. It's a great area with a brilliant atmosphere and a really strong sense of community. People here look out for each other. It's the sort of place where someone would give you their last pound.
"In this pub, everyone knows each other, whether they're 18 or 80. If a stranger walks in, they'll end up chatting with everyone at the bar. Nobody gets left out. Community is definitely at the heart of what we do.
"Compared to most pubs we've run, this one is incredibly welcoming. In some places, people collect their drinks, and sit quietly in a corner, but here you're always talking to someone. Nobody is left on their own."
The pub, which is in Everton but a short distance from Anfield, hosts live music every Friday and shows live sport throughout the week. Aimee and Tom made the decision to move into accommodation above the pub, along with three of their children, after taking over.
Warm welcome reassures couple
While taking over a well-established neighbourhood pub can be daunting, Tom said the warm welcome from customers reassured the couple that they had made the right decision. He added: "Moving into the pub was a big decision for us because we've got four children, although one has already left home. With the refurbishment, we decided to fully commit and live above the pub. It's something we'd never done before, but so far it's been going really well.
"Word is definitely spreading. Even today, we've had people come in saying they'd heard there was someone new running the pub and wanted to have a look.
"Normally, people visit once after a refurbishment out of curiosity and then go back to their usual local, but we're still seeing new faces every day.
"Even the regulars are saying it's become a proper pub again. They're joking that it's almost too busy because so many people are coming in to see it. It's definitely a relief that people have accepted us. That's always the biggest worry when you take over a community pub. If the local community doesn't take to you, it's very difficult, but thankfully everything has gone really well so far."
Investment by Punch Pubs
The refurbishment was carried out by Punch Pubs after the previous tenant left, with the brewery redeveloping the venue as part of its Unity Social concept before appointing the Reynolds family to run it. Rachael Henry, senior operations manager at Punch Pubs & Co, said: "The Grove is a fantastic community pub with huge potential. Its proximity to Anfield, strong local population and traditional pub roots makes it an ideal fit for our Unity Social business unit.
"This significant investment has created a venue that combines great sport, live entertainment and community spirit while offering excellent value for our customers seven days a week. We are delighted to reopen the doors under Aimee and Tom's leadership and look forward to a fantastic partnership."
