The Gornal pub saved from being lost forever and given new lease of life by former local

The future of the Five Ways Inn in Gornal had seemed uncertain after closure in May and planning permission to convert it into flats was approved.

However, a former local and owner of the Jinja beer company, Mike Westwood, felt he didn't want to see the pub disappear and kept in touch with the previous owners in case they changed their minds.

He explains: "I'm a Gornal lad and the Five Ways used to be my local for quite a few years and I still only live two minutes away, plus I've also supplied beer to them in the past and got to know the owners Ian and Wendy Harris.

"I did have discussions with them about taking the pub on, but they were looking to either sell it or go down the renovation route and I know the planning permission had got approved, but I would always say to them that if they changed their minds or anything happened to give me a shout and see what we can do.

"They came back to me and said the feedback from locals was that they didn't want to lose it as a pub and Ian said he really didn't want to see it close, so I put forward a proposal for him to ensure that it's beneficial for him to keep it open as a pub and not go down the demolition route."

Mr Westwood and business partner Callum Nicholls were able to to take on the leasehold and gave the pub a major renovation before reopening it to the public at the beginning of September.

He says it was something like a dream come true to take over his local, adding to the other pubs he runs, the Waggon & Horses pub in Oldbury and the Shoulder Of Mutton At Blackheath.

"It would have been a crying shame to keep this pub shut, so when one comes around which is close to your heart and close to where you live, it pulls on your heartstrings and you want to do what you can to keep it open.

"The previous owners Ian and Wendy Harried kept the place going during and after Covid, but the trade didn't come back and pulled the plug, so that's why I stepped in and started getting things going and, fingers crossed, it's gone quite well.

"The pub has a lot of heritage and it means a lot to the people of Gornal as whenever I go in, there's always someone who knows you and everyone knows each other and can remember being at school together or talking about their kids and grandkids."

Since reopening, Mr Westwood and Callum have introduced a new loyalty card scheme, meaning patrons get 10p back for every pound spent, and have installed Sky Sports and TNT Sports on the televisions.

The main beer on tap is from Bathams Brewery, while other beers like Staropramen can be found regularly and other beers from local breweries and further afield can also be tried.

Mr Westwood said there was still work to do on the pub, but said it was beginning to take shape and become a community hub again.

He says: "We're going to look at doing some community events next year and keep working to improve the pub as when we opened the doors after it had been shut, there were a few things that needed doing.

"This included issues with the cellar temperature and wear and tear, which was nobody's fault, but were things to deal with, and it had been an uphill struggle.

"However, we are making progress and whatever we make is going in to the pub to get it finished little by little."