Popular Tipton pub given new look by new owners 'by order of the Peaky Blinders'

The pub was the main drinking location of the characters in the popular series and that look has been replicated by the new owners Paul O'Reardan and Michelle Barnes, who are both members of the Proper Peaky's group.

Ms Barnes, who has past experience in the pub industry, said the couple had taken over the pub in October and had decided to turn it into a Peaky Blinders tribute pub due to the location and as a way of promoting the series.

She said: "It used to be a Marston's pub, with two rooms, a big bar and a brick look all the way through and I'm a local girl from Tipton, whereas Paul is from Birmingham, and we've been together nine years and decided to take it on.

"We also decided to turn it into a Peaky's pub because there used to be one on the Waterfront, but it closed down and there weren't any other local Peaky Blinders pubs or bars that you could go to.

"We're only five minutes in the car away from the Black Country Museum, so it was perfect as there's something about the era that people love, through the way they dressed and the atmosphere and it's a chance for everyone to get together, have a good drink and enjoy music."

Mr O'Reardan said: "It's all about the Midlands and about celebrating Peaky Blinders as wherever you go around here, you'll find something that reminds you of it.

"Unfortunately, all of the Peaky pubs have been in Birmingham, but now we've got one right here in Tipton."

Ms Barnes said the pub was full of a lot of antiques and backdrops for the show, as well as props and lookalikes, including Mr O'Reardan, who Ms Barnes said was the spitting image of Arthur Shelby.

She said: "He really is the spit of him and people walk in and almost do a triple take when they see him.

"They'll ask him whether he's the real guy and Paul will say he's just a lookalike, but people really don't believe he's just a lookalike as he's that real."

One person Ms Barnes said they would love to have down is Peaky Blinders creator Stephen Knight, who she said they had met at the premiere of Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man earlier in the week, and extended an invitation his way to come to the pub.

As part of celebrations for the film, Ms Barnes said there would be a special screening on March 21, and invited people to come and enjoy a traditional Black Country welcome.

She said: "For the film, we've heard there's a whisky going on sale that is Peaky Blinders themed, so we're looking to get that, as well as a couple of the Peaky Blinders drinks.

"We offer traditionally home-cooked food, like egg and chips, and all the other types of food that people like and we are looking forward to properly welcoming people in."