Latest news with #FiveAlls
South Wales Argus
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Chepstow pub 'with a castle at the bottom of the garden'
After all, a man with a pub to rebuild, and a 'castle at the bottom of his beer garden,' is a very busy man indeed. Steve's rescue of the Five All's is in keeping with his love of pubs. He saw his old boozer, where quaffed his first legal pint,in need of a bit of care. So Steve came tot eh rescue of the pub where he once worked as a teen barman. As Steve opened, a stream of customers came in to use the beer garden. Among them, Rebecca Roy, from Toronto, Canada. She said: 'Great pub. We have them back home, but never this friendly.' Rebecca's pooch pal, Sophie Bear, loves the pub too. The interior is welcoming, with a fair bit of wood panelling, is well-lit bar and has many friendly faces. There was no need to light the pubs log burner on this sweltering day. Talking of a quashing a thirst in the heat, there are eers aplenty to choose from. The bar also serves a range of spirits, including a single malt for dinosaurs like me, lots of gin for the ladies and enough varieties of rum to keep the entire fleet afloat. I tried a Hobgoblin Session IPA. The taste was quite hoppy, not as bitter as most IPAs and a good introduction for a novice like me. Apparently. the beer suits the sun. Steve recommends it as a good alternative to that good old mad apple cider to those cool summer highs. The Five Alls continues its impressive recovery with music and will soon introduce food by the end of the summer, Steve explains. There is live music on Fridays. Next week, local band Damaged Goods will be an unofficial opening of Chepstow's Choral Festival – so choral fans should avoid the Five Alls next Friday, at all costs advises Steve. Steve looks forward to continuing his efforts to rescues the Great British Pub and hopes for help for the ails of the trade. 'Let's hope government sees that pubs are an essential part of British culture and life. So many have closed, we need to do more to save this great institution. Tell your MP to cut duty. You won't know what you've lost until they're all gone,' he said. On a lighter note, he concluded: 'The Five Alls is still standing. A traditional pub serving up good company. Support you local pub – they're a part of you and a part of our culture.'
South Wales Argus
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Who is the new landlord of Chpestow pub The Five Alls
Chepstow pub fan Steve Hurrell did just that. As an 18-year-old, Steve drank in the Five Alls in the centre of Chepstow. He liked the pub so much that he got a job behind the bar. Now, he's gone one sip further. Steve now owns the pub, after sinking all his efforts into the much-loved ale old house. Steve explains: 'It's a lifelong dream to own and run a pub and this chance came my way, so I've put my heart and soul into my dream. 'I've always loved this pub and this spot and now I can run it my way,' Steve said. The Five Alls had been closed since March and needed renovation and a good clean up, after being closed for over two months. Steve saw potential in that empty pub and decided to use his experience and enthusiasm for the great British pub to good use. He explained: 'I had my first proper pint in here when I was 18. Not long after, I got a job behind the bar. Ever since then I've had it in the back of my mind—one day, I'd love to run a place like this. Now I do.' Since taking over, Steve has been planning the pub's comeback. While the bar is now open to the public, the transformation is ongoing. Steve is working toward adding a kitchen and a beer garden with a barbeque in 2026. Asked for advice on tipples, Steve said: 'My favourite must be a Hobgoblin. I look like that typical Hobgoblin drinker. For a shot, I'm a bourbon whiskey man. As for cocktails, I go for an Old Fashioned.' Tippler Simon Jones said: 'I've not been in here for years, it's got that old 'pubby' feel and vibe. We need to protect pubs and pubs like this.' You can find the Five Alls in Hocker Hill Street, Chepstow.
