Latest news with #PeterConnolly
Irish Post
21-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Post
Future of historic city pub in Birmingham secured by local Irish landlord
AN HISTORIC pub in Birmingham city centre will be preserved for the future after being taken on by a local Irish publican. The Anchor Digbeth – a Victorian pub located in Birmingham's Irish Quarter – has been closed for nearly three months, but will reopen next month under a new operator. Peter Connolly, who runs nearby bar and music venue Nortons Digbeth, has taken on the late-19th century Rea Street pub, pledging to 'restore the city gem'. New landlord of The Anchor Digbeth Peter Connolly (Pic: Dave Henderson) 'It's a great honour to take on The Anchor; a legendary pub which has always held a special place in my heart,' he said this week. 'I sampled my first proper cask ale in the Anchor many years ago and have used it regularly to meet family and friends, and with our staff on industry nights.' He added: 'The Anchor is a hugely significant pub in terms of tradition and heritage. It's a must-visit for cask fans, having won CAMRA pub of the year three times. 'It's a pub with huge community ties, and we appreciate how much the building means to so many people which is why we have now started work to restore the Anchor to its original glory." Owner and former licensee of The Anchor Gerry Keane (Pic: Dave Henderson) The Anchor, which is a Grade II listed building, was designed by James and Lister Lea. It claims to be one of the oldest continuous public house licences in Birmingham, dating back to 1797. Mr Connolly plans to revive the building's original interior and exterior features including the original bar fittings, pincushion leather bench seating and brass fixtures. The renovation will also introduce new elements, alongside revitalising The Anchor's original snug and lounge bars. Gerry Keane, who is the current owner of the pub, said he is looking forward to the changes Mr Connolly has planned for the venue. 'Peter shares my love for this very special building, as well as an ambition to restore it and see it secure its place as a jewel of the Irish Quarter,' he said. 'I look forward to seeing The Anchor Digbeth develop over the coming months and years.' 'We thank Julian Rose-Gibbs for taking charge of The Anchor for the last eight years.' Located in Rea Street, Digbeth, over the years the pub has become a popular venue for craft and real ale fans, and many artists from the city's cultural and creative communities. See More: Birmingham, Digbeth, Peter Connolly, The Anchor
BBC News
11-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
The historic Anchor pub in Digbeth to reopen under new management
An award-winning 18th-century pub in Birmingham is to reopen just three months after it was Anchor in Digbeth closed in June due to "financial constraints", with dozens of customers "devastated" by the Peter Connolly, who runs nearby music venue Nortons Digbeth, said it was a "great honour" to take on the Grade II listed pub, which he will reopen in August."The Anchor is a hugely significant pub in terms of tradition and heritage. It's a must-visit for cask fans, having won CAMRA pub of the year three times," he said. He said he wanted to "restore the city gem to its original glory" by reviving its interior and exterior features, including the original bar Connolly plans to hold regular live music events and screen a range of sports at the pub, which dates back to of the pub Gerry Keane said that Mr Connolly shared his love for the building and looked forward to seeing the pub develop over the years. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Irish Quarter readies for St Patrick's Day despite city parade cancellation
BUSINESSES across Birmingham's Irish Quarter are gearing up to paint the town green to mark St Patrick's Day 2025. St Patrick's Day will see the Irish community in the West Midlands converge on the Digbeth area for events marking the important date in Ireland's calendar, with one venue announcing its annual ten days of festivities to mark the occasion. Independent bar and music venue, Nortons Digbeth, has announced its annual St Patrick's Festival line-up exploring Irish culture, community and heritage will run from Friday, March 7 to Monday, March 17 2025 It comes following the news that Birmingham's St Patrick's Day parade, which was due to take place on March 16, has been postponed for this year, with organisers saying they could not safely put on the event for 2025. However, Digbeth is still set to come alive with St Patrick's Day celebrations, with Norton's programme featuring a series of live Irish music performances, Irish Gaelic classes, an Irish dance showcase, Six Nations and Cheltenham race screenings and related events, all of which will be launched with a 'green tie ball' dinner on Friday, March 7. During the festival, revellers can also book a guided Irish whiskey tasting and a 'Church End Brewery' beer tasting and be part of an exclusive Guinness masterclass at Nortons. Nortons will also observe Irish tradition by hosting a St Patrick's Day mass in the 'back room' venue and event space on the actual day of the Irish national holiday, March 17. Peter Connolly, owner of Nortons Digbeth, said: 'Our yearly St Patrick's Day festival here has become a firm favourite in the Birmingham Irish calendar, welcoming all communities for ten days of varied cultural experiences in a safe and friendly environment. 'Nortons Digbeth is a proud advocate of the city's Irish Quarter, and we're thrilled to be joining forces with our bar and venue colleagues across the area to highlight the incredible offering we all work hard year-round to deliver, especially over the St Patrick's period. 'Our doors are open to all, and we look forward to inviting people to come through our doors, to explore and celebrate Irish culture, heritage, hospitality and identity with us and the partner organisations we work with year round.' The cancellation of the parade has prompted businesses in the Irish Quarter to pull together to drive visitors to the area for what is traditionally one of the district's busiest weekends. Independent Digbeth NTE and hospitality venues including The Anchor, Autobrew, The Big Bull's Head, Cleary's, The Fountain, Hennessey's, The Mockingbird Cinema and Bar, Nortons Digbeth, The Old Crown, Redcorc and The Spotted Dog have all pledged support for the Birmingham Irish Quarter St Patrick's Day 2025 campaign. The group of publicans will be launching a digital and printed map for visitors to help navigate venues over the St Patrick's period, as well as sharing news and offers around special events planned as part of celebrations.
