A Liverpool city centre pub that was the backdrop for many happy memories over the years is set to close its doors next month.
The Liverpool will close in April this year when the pub's current lease comes to an end. Stonegate, which owns and runs hundreds of pubs across the country, will not be renewing the current team's lease, so the much loved premises is bidding farewell to James Street.
The pub has been operated by the same family for 30 years since former owner Val Smith took over with her late husband Peter in the early 1990s. The pub has been operated by Val's daughters Paula Billingsley and Yvonne Taylor since their mum retired in 2019.
READ MORE: 'Core of city being ripped out' as pub that felt like 'home' to close its doors
Paula said the pub was given its notice seven months ago despite battling through covid. The 58-year-old owner added that Liverpool, like all other town and city centres, is now at risk of losing its personality as more and more independents are forced to close.
The impending closure of the pub has struck a chord with readers across the city. People have taken to social media to share their “happy memories” of days spent at what is regarded by many as a city centre institution.
Reacting to the ECHO’s initial news of the forthcoming closure on Facebook, one reader said: "Worked in the Liverpool years ago met my wonderful husband there."
Another reader said: “Very sad, such a great pub. The days of The Liverpool and Coopers across the road were brilliant.”
The Liverpool will be the second pub to shut in the city centre in recent weeks after The Beehive announced it would close its doors and look to reinvent itself for a different clientele. The much loved watering holes served the last of its regulars back in February.
Referencing the closure of The Beehive, one commenter said: “Absolutely gobsmacked. [The] Beehive now this. When I'm back home I always go to the old post office, the Liverpool, big house and beehive. Gutted.
Another added: “[Oh my god] can't believe this, am devastated for them. This is me and the girls go to place on a Sunday to celebrate birthdays and bank holidays.”
A spokesperson for Stonegate told the ECHO: "We are looking forward to welcoming a new tenant to the pub in April. The new tenant is an experienced publican from the local area and will bring much energy and expertise to the pub.
"The existing publicans will continue to work at The Liverpool on a part-time basis, continuing their work with the pub’s community and offering continuity and support for the new tenants."
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