The Willow Bank pub in Anfield has regulars who have been walking through its doors for more than half a century. Some first came as teenagers and are now in their mid-70s, but the Townsend Lane boozer remains their home from home.
Licensee Daniel Williams, 43, from Anfield, has been running the pub for almost eight years. He said one of the things he loves most is seeing such a wide mix of people come together under one roof. He spoke with the ECHO about how he came to take over the business, the importance of its regulars, and how he turned the pub's reputation around.
From Builder to Publican
Around 10 years ago, Williams and his ex-wife took on a pub in Birkenhead called The Lion Tavern on Market Street as an off chance to make some extra money. He wanted something for his children to fall back on if they ever needed work. He had no pub experience and was originally a builder who renovated houses. He described the experience as petrifying, but said he wouldn't change it for the world and has made some really good friends from being in the pub business.
Three years later, the landlords were selling the property for a different use, and that's when they came to The Willow Bank. A little sign in the window said it was looking for new publicans. They rang the number, had a meeting, and four weeks later signed the paperwork and took it over. The size was a big shock: the Birkenhead pub could only fit 40 people, whereas The Willow Bank can fit 250. They went from having four handpulls to 12.
A Pub With History and Famous Faces
From what Williams gathers, the pub has been there for over 200 years and used to be a bank before becoming a public house. It has always been called The Willow Bank in some way or another. Ex-footballers and people from Brookside have visited, but the pub doesn't broadcast it, treating them as normal, and many are grateful for that.
There is no main beer that sells best; Carling, Foster's and John Smith's sell pretty much the same. Guinness is a main seller. Some staff say the pub is haunted and are scared to go into the cellar on their own because they hear strange noises and say things move, but Williams has not felt or seen anything like that.
Turning the Reputation Around
Williams loves the different characters and types of people in the area. The pub used to have a reputation for being a bad pub, and people used to stay away, but he managed to change that by keeping those types of people away. Now there is no trouble at the pub. There are about 10 to 15 regulars who come in on a daily basis; some have been drinking there since they were 18 and are now in their mid-70s.
He wants the pub to be a community pub where anybody can come in and ask for help. He gets comments from regulars about how he handles things and how he is straight-talking. He will always give a person a chance, but if they do anything wrong again, they won't be welcome back. His two sons also work at the pub: Conor, 25, the bar manager, and Joseph, 20, who started collecting glass when they were 15. Williams is proud of them and would support them in whatever they want to do.
To support their local pub, people just need to turn up and have a pint, a laugh, a chat, and help the community, including the older generation who are struggling with their mental health.
