Liverpool licensees launch ‘Beer Quarter’ to boost city sector
The licensees of some of Liverpool’s most renowned pubs are combining to launch a ‘Beer Quarter’ in a bid to reinvigorate the city’s leisure scene and reinforce the value of the sector to the city.
Ten pubs and bars in the city centre have come together on the initiative, which will kick off with an inaugural weekend celebration, on September 23-25.
The participating sites will run a weekend of live music, comedy, karaoke, pub games, beer tastings, ‘meet the brewer’ events and special food offerings.
Fiona Hornsby, landlady of The Denbigh Castle, said: “We’re acutely aware of the dismal headlines about 70% of pubs potentially falling this winter.
“Our ambition and focus is to retain all of our pubs in this great city of ours and especially in this area because what would Liverpool be like without them?
“It’s almost unimaginable looking back over our three decades of experience in the industry.”
She added: “We thought that collaborating together and establishing a Beer Quarter would reaffirm the area’s canny ability to provide the kind of quality entertainment that is unique to the great British pub, albeit with a Scouse twist.”
Dave Hardman
The pubs behind the Beer Quarter are all independent and include: The Ship and Mitre, The Excelsior, Dead Crafty Beer Company, The Angus Tap & Grind, The Vernon Arms, The Saddle, The Denbigh Castle, The Lion Tavern, The Cross Keys and Shenanigans.
Dave Hardman, licensee of the Lion Tavern, said: “I would love to see a renaissance of the Dale Street drinking area.”
Joe Danson, general manager of the Ship and Mitre, said: “It’s great to be working with our neighbours to protect the cultural history of our area.”
And Gary O’Donnell, owner of the Excelsior, said: “The Dale Street area is a part of our city where consistently good beer is served and you always get that authentic Liverpool pub experience.”
