THE RED LION’S ROARING AGAIN!
Pub where pop superstar Robbie grew up welcomes customers back for a pint following NINE-YEAR closure
ONE of Stoke-on-trent’s most iconic pubs has finally reopened after a nine-year closure.
The Red Lion, in Burslem, welcomed back customers from 4pm yesterday.
Former regulars and newcomers were among those propping up the bar for the first time since 2012.
The venue was the home of pop star Robbie Williams, below, from the age of two after his parents Pete and Jan took the helm in 1975.
Now landlady Mandy Docksey will be serving behind the bar after the Moorland Road venue was snapped up by new owners and underwent a six month refurbishment.
She says there will be live bands in the newly revamped function room that features a stage and dancefloor and there are also plans to start serving food after Christmas.
The 52-year-old, who has worked in pubs since the age of 17, says it is a ‘dream come true’ to manage The Red Lion.
The grandmotherof-four, from Burslem, said: “I saw them doing work on the pub and I was going to ask for a bar role, but then I saw a post on Our Burslem saying that it was after managers so I applied for that and here I am.
“It’s a dream come true. I used to drink in here as a customer. I’ve got lots of happy memories in here. “I hope I can bring it back to how it used to be.
“My mum and dad used to run the Marquis of Granby, in Burslem, and that’s where I started in 1986. It’s now The Clayhanger. I also used to run the Bursley Ale House.
“It’s taken about six months to get the pub ready, the whole place has changed, new décor, new furniture, it’s a lot brighter now. It used to be dark in here and we have softened the place up. I can’t wait to welcome everyone back in and give them a ‘Dingle hug’ – Dingle is my nickname.”
Punters were delighted to be back drinking inside The Red Lion.
Derek Johnson, who also goes by the nickname Menace, says he has lots of happy memories of the pub.
The 53-year-old, from Blurton, said: “I was well chuffed when I heard this pub would be opening again.
“People used to queue down the road on a Friday and Saturday to get in here, it was two in, two out.”
Scott Brodie, aged 52, from Burslem, said: “I’ve known Mandy for years and I’ve called everyone today saying that I’ll be going the pub and we’re all meeting up here tonight.
“Everyone wants to have a look at the place.”
The opening hours this week are 4pm to midnight today and 2pm to 10pm tomorrow.