From pants to pints
ROWELLS IS REBORN AS A MICRO PUB
ROWELLS, an old-fashioned shop which closed down after serving Long Eaton for more than 100 years, has reopened its doors as a micro pub.
The former Aladdin’s cave, which sold everything from curtains to underwear, closed down in June 2019 when owner Bob Marshall called time on the shop which had been run by three generations of his family in Long Eaton.
In a nod to the local institution, the new venture, in High Street, has been named Rowells Drinking Emporium.
“We figured there’s no point in changing the name because no matter what we call it people will say they’re going to Rowells for a pint,” said Martin Edwards, who has joined forces with Nigel Rout and son Tyrell Gaunt to open the pub.
“The ex-owners Bob and Rosie are chuffed with the name. They’re coming tonight [the opening, on Wednesday].”
The big knickers, tea towels and dusters that the shop was known for are long gone, replaced by beer, cider, wine, spirits and coffee.
The revamp has taken a year and has cost around £100,000.
And those who have poked their nose inside the door as they’re passing by have been taken aback by the transfor- mation.
Martin, who runs a firework shop in Long Eaton, said: “The first thing they say is ‘wow, we didn’t realise it was so big.’ The next thing ‘is that floor original?’ — no, it’s not.
“They are all surprised. We’ve had a permanent trail – we’ve been doing tours for weeks now. It’s nice that everyone’s positive about it.”
As micro pubs go, it’s one of the bigger ones.
There’s space for up to 50 people inside.
Since it’s been remodelled, visitors are amazed how spacious it is without all Rowells’ wares. The makeover, which has taken a year and a lot of hard graft, pays homage to the old shop, retaining some of the original wooden shelving and cabinets, while one of the old counters is now the bar top. Knick-knacks – from old-fashioned street lamps and vintage Homepride Bero flour man Fred to a wooden washing mangle and a hobby horse – create a sense of nostalgia. Nottingham lace hangs from the exposed brick walls and a fancy parquet floor has been laid. Nigel, who has gone from 40 years in screen printing to helping run the pub, said: “Everything’s reclaimed. There’s not a lot of new stuff. All the floor is recycled and all the cupboards.”
The owners are hoping to create a cosy, relaxed atmosphere where everyone feels welcome with the feel of a proper old-fashioned boozer with drinks and bar snacks.
Tyrell, who has worked in pubs, will be the manager. He said: “We want it to be chilled and laid-back. People can come in and have a beer or a coffee or whatever you want. You can come in by yourself and feel safe and have a chat with us behind the bar or somebody else. We want to make it feel comfortable.”
The pub will be open from noon until 11pm every day in the run-up to Christmas.
“I do think pubs should be open every day. I don’t like this business where you think you can manage on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday,” added Martin.
A new cellar with a stained glass window featuring a peacock has been built within the property for all the casks and kegs.
The beers – including some from local breweries Blue Monkey and Castle Rock – will change regularly and will be determined by their popularity with drinkers.
For the opening the cask selection includes Elsie Mo, Infinity, 22 and Sherwood Reserve and kegs of Pravha, Jute and Huckaback, and raspberry, rhubarb and Santa ciders.
The large windows of Rowells were a constant target for vandals but the owners are hoping to replace the cracked glass with the help of a grant.
No matter what we call it people will say they’re going to Rowells for a pint
Martin Edwards