Here is just a little info to let you get to know us better...
Here is a little potted history of our pub and the local area... if you have a spare minute or two and maybe a cup of tea (or is that a G&T), we think it's well worth a read.
The earliest reference we can find of the pub dates from 1864, when it was being used as the venue for a meeting of the Royal Lord Belgrave Lodge of Oddfellows. In those days it was called the Talbot Inn. We don't know when the name was changed, but by 1890 it had become the Grosvenor Arms, and a third floor had been added. It subsequently became the Grosvenor Arms Hotel.
A meeting of the Royal Lord Belgrave Lodge
of Oddfellows
The pub went through a purple patch in the sixties and seventies under the aegis of Ted Roberts, when the great and the good of Cheshire used to flock there.
This room is now the library.
The fireplace is now a door
The entrance hallway. The stairs have gone,
but there's still a bar
The Grosvenor was the second pub that we opened in the Chester area after Harkers, and it was one of the 'white elephant' sites that we seem to be fond of - when Jerry and Graham first looked at it, it was shut up and in a sad state of repair. It was damp, musty and unloved.
The Grosvenor Arms in 1890
The story of how we got it is great - Allied Lyons had the lease, but had seriously failed to maintain the property, which they were contractually obliged to do. They were looking to sell the lease on for a hefty amount, but by dint of some hard-ball negotiating, they ended up paying us £60,000 to take it off their hands - a sweet result. The Grosvenor estate, who owned the property, have proved to be lovely people to do business with, and share many of our core values.
Part of the Grosvenor estate
Many people thought we were bonkers to spend so much on a site with such a history of failure, and of course we're very pleased it has proved to be so successful.
Amazingly little has changed in 110 years,
apart from the addition of the flat roofed
annex on the right of the building
Anyway, the building is not that great - it was designed by a famous local Victorian architect called John Douglas. People rave about his work and there are all sorts of societies and individuals devoted to preserving the buildings he designed, but Jerry for one thinks he was an architectural vandal. He destroyed many of the fine medieval buildings in and around Chester in the name of progress, re-facing them with fake black and white timbering and often simply demolishing the original. His designs are made to look good from the outside but are often impractical, with windows you can't see out of and doors in the wrong place. Jerry should know because he lives in one. Still, John Douglas wasn't alone - the Victorians were generally arrogant when it came to building, believing that the past was worthless and just had to be replaced with the new and the modern. It all happened again in the 60's. Plus a change...etc.
Photos courtesy of the archive dept, Grosvenor Estates, and Alan Cotton.
If you'd like to put a name to a face, allow us to introduce you to the crew...
Manager
Justin came to us from a successful career in the motor trade, but after 18 years it was time for a complete change. He is a natural host and genuinely enjoys looking after people, dashing about the place in a whirlwind of enthusiasm. Justin is married with two grown up sons, and when he isn't running around the pub, he runs up and down hills.
Deputy Manager
In a previous decade Dave would have been hanging out with the Beachboys. Being of an aquatic nature, he has taught windsurfing and water-skiing in Greece and Australia for 4 years. He did a bit of work in his local boozer in Kelsall when he got back from abroad, liked the job, joined us and the rest is history. Dave can now be found spending any free moments he has riding one of his many bikes, whether it be road or mountain.
Deputy Manager
Mike is the perfect fit for the Grosvenor. He has progressed through our ranks from washing the plates to supervising the staff. He has completed his degree at Liverpool University, worked in Chester nightclubs and spent a lot of time in front of the camera as a professional model. He is a talented man.
Deputy Manager
Kevin's CV said he came from Newcastle which instantly secured him an interview, it was a surprise however when he greeted us with an Australian G'day rather than a Geordie Howay and it was then we realised our mistake. Kevin's path to the UK was all due to the love of a good woman, Kevin's path to the Grosvenor was all due to the love of wine and good food. He has also told us he is a class act on the dance floor, we can't wait to see his moves.
Assistant Manager
Tom has many loves in his life, with fitness, cars, cycling and flying being the main four. He is a local lad who grew up in Farndon and first joined the Grosvenor back in 2014 as a part time bar person, back when we still served Thwaites and Flowers. He has now made the sensible decision to join us full time on the management team. On his days off you will either see Tom filling your rear view mirror with his 90's rally car, he will be flying past on his bike focusing on his strava time or looking down on you from the skies at the controls of a helicopter. Luckily he still finds the time and energy to do a great job in the pub.
Head Chef
Stuart's hobby is cooking, so he is in his element. He hails originally from the town renowned for a world class rugby team, St Helen's, and remains a keen supporter of Saints RFC to this day. He plays squash (all be it not since 2006) and enjoys the odd game of golf, believing that you should get as many swings for your money as you can. Stuart is married with two grown children.
Sous Chef
Amy has been with us for 12 years, she started as front of house at the Wharf before she won their 1st birthday baking competition and was asked to work in the kitchen. She then decided to work at Red Fox, now she has made her best decision in deciding to come and work at the Grosvenor. She has a lovely daughter to care for so she has two very responsible jobs to do.
Senior Chef de Partie
Kieren is a big Everton Fan, but we didn't let this stand in his way at the interview. Big hearted and always with a ready wit and a smile he is great to have around the kitchen. He is married with three children and so he has to buy five home kits every August, he drinks Chang beer and buys his cars from Cazoo. What a great guy.
Chef de Partie
Max joined us from the kitchen of a local pub and his career has steadily progressed with us ever since. Max loves his cars, and when he isn't at work, he can be found in his garage at home with the cars in bits. Max's exhaust modifications are the stuff of legend, listen carefully and you may just hear him.
Chef de Partie
Tom has had a lot of experience in kitchens. He worked all over the world cooking on yachts before deciding to join us at the Grosvenor for a less turbulent life. He is a big Man United fan and he also enjoys his Thai boxing, allegedly having been inspired by Eric Cantona at Selhurst Park.
Chef de Partie
Abdul, has joined us from a restaurant in Chester. He has settled in really well and we are delighted to have him working for us. He is a man who works hard then likes to spend his spare time relaxing with his family.
Kitchen Porter
Liubov is a fascinating lady. She was born in the Ukraine where she raised her family, before they moved across to the UK to escape the troubles there. She works for us as a KP and a cleaner. She always has a smile and a "Good Morning" for everyone. Everyone loves Liubov.
Cleaner
"Di bach" as we call her (with a heavy Welsh accent) brings a much needed touch of glamour to the often roughie toughie world of cleaning! Married with two children, Di likes nothing better on a Friday night than being tucked up in bed with some cocoa watching her favourite Welsh soap, Pobl y cum. She takes a great pride in her job, and is never shy to show you her gleaming pub. This is her second time round working at the Grosvenor, we are pleased she saw the light and came home.
