One of Formby’s most famous landmarks has received a half-a-million pound facelift, returning The Grapes Pub to its Victorian splendour, in time for the Christmas festivities.
The Grapes pub, previously known as Grapes Hotel, re-opened on Tuesday 8th December to Formby residents and guests following the significant investment.
Standing proud on the corner of Green Lane and Ryeground Lane, the iconic building has been kept in character with the conservation area in which it sits: a traditional pub, combining the historic charm of its 1880’s origins with a modern and elegant interior, fit for today’s pubgoers.
Sixteen additional job roles have been created for local people, boosting the team to thirty, led by experienced General Manager Malcolm Quilliam. The pub returns to its roots, taking over the refreshment of Formby with top quality, freshly prepared classic pub food, local real ales and a whole heap of warm hearted hospitality.
Malcolm and his team welcomed customers and local residents as their guests on Tuesday 8th December from 5pm to a special champagne and canapé reception, to view the newly refurbished pub ahead of the official opening at 7pm. Guests were invited to enjoy tasters from the new menu whilst mingling to the sounds of live jazz.
Restored with care, elegance shines through in the new décor of muted tones of blue and taupe – smart dining areas sit alongside relaxing lounge seating with comfortable armchairs, perfect for cosy drinks by the fire. An area to the rear of the pub, dedicated to loyal sports enthusiasts, provides excellent viewing facilities for all-important games.
The pub’s new menu features the very best in British pub favourites. Starters include the perfect seaside fish board sharer of Severn Wye and Oak smoked salmon, wholetail scampi, king prawns and calamari. Classic main courses include Cumberland sausage and mash, fresh-baked lasagne with garlic ciabatta bread, braised calf’s liver with colcannon mash and a Madeira wine andamp; caramelised onion sauce; and slow cooked roasted lamb shank with a rosemary and red wine sauce. No meal is complete without the home comfort of a traditional British dessert and so the Grapes’ head chef will be baking a seasonal crumble of the day alongside several indulgent alternatives.
The perfect Sunday lunch destination for the whole family, the Grapes pub will offer a choice of exquisite roasts, cooked to perfection and served with generous portions of seasonal vegetables. Newspapers and board games to hand, is there any better way to while away a Sunday?
Fresh local cask ales, craft beers and award winning wines feature widely on the bar. An increased number of cask hand pumps to eight mean the pub can offer customers a rotating choice and variety from local and national breweries. Liverpool’s Red Star Brewery has honoured the pub with its very own ‘The Grapes Ale’ to mark the launch, whilst four craft beers on tap include Longhorn IPA, Blue Moon, Brewdog IPA and Meantime.
Everyone loves a deal and so locals will be pleased with what the Grapes pub has planned. Mondays will be dedicated to cask beer, a pint of the real stuff served for £2.50 during the all-day Cask Club. Meanwhile, Wine Wednesdays offer a choice of ten of the finest wines for just £10 a bottle, and all day every Thursday, customers can enjoy two succulent rumps steaks for just £15.99.
Opening in time for Christmas party season, several events are planned for the festivities including a chance to meet Father Christmas on Wednesday 16th December. Taking a break from his busy preparations to visit the children of Formby, he will arrive at 2pm. Nothing warms the heart at Christmas better than mulled wine and carol singers and an afternoon of both is planned for Tuesday 15th December when children from Trinity St Peters primary school will sing for customers between 2pm and 3pm. A special live music night is also planned for Christmas Eve, courtesy of Liverpool’s Kokopelli band, guaranteeing an evening to remember.
Speaking about the refurbishment Malcom Quillam said, “I am thrilled that we have been able to revitalise such an historic building and create an exciting new chapter in its history. The Grapes’ is now a pub for locals to be proud of, showcasing all that is great about the British pub.”
The Grapes will open daily from midday, closing at 11pm Monday to Thursday, at midnight on Friday and Saturday and at 10.30pm on Sunday.
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