THIS historic city centre pub has a warm, friendly vibe and is loved by loyal regulars who know the staff will remember not only their name but their favourite drink.
The Old Greyhound in New Street, Worcester is a pub loved by the regulars because of the warmth of its welcome, good value for money and a strong sense of community.
Having a vibrant live music scene – from musicians to enthusiastic amateurs – and four large television screens showing sports does not hurt either at the Proper Pubs boozer.
Meanwhile, its position in the historic heart of the old city means it picks up passing trade from visitors and tourists too, an interest which appears to be growing.
Open seven days a week from 11am until late, the Old Greyhound has built up a real following. I was surprised to find the former coaching inn already reasonably busy at 11.30am on a Thursday. But when you see how friendly the staff are, it’s not really that surprising at all.
HISTORIC: The Greyhound in New Street in Worcester back to at least 1766 and was a coaching inn (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)
In my experience, it is quite unusual to see pubs open so early these days, especially midweek when some either haven’t even opened yet or may not open at all.
Manager Paula Burton has been running the pub for just over three years and prides herself on being hands-on, helping out behind the bar and on speaking to everyone who comes through the door.
The down-to-earth, gregarious 47-year-old, who has a long history working in the pub trade, says The Old Greyhound is expected to have a refurbishment soon. Some of the furniture does look a bit worn and frayed.
VIBE: The inside of The Old Greyhound in New Street, Worcester (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)
However, trade is good, and customers clearly love the pub – a good example being how regulars rallied behind staff when someone stole the charity hamper from the bar (which led to an arrest). Customers helped raise money for Claire House Children’s Hospice despite the theft, determined not to let it spoil the fundraiser.
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Regulars who have died are remembered with photos. A plaque on one of the chairs in honour of a late customer reads ‘a part of the furniture’.
Paula said: “We call it ‘the Greyhound family’. Once you’re a customer, you’re a customer for life. We’re a community in the middle of the city – and we’re not expensive. We are really good value and do fantastic offers. We have a regular clientele we see day in, day out. We have a really good bond with our customers.”
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During the day, the customers tend to be the regulars, sometimes (but not exclusively) older people, but that can all change in the evening when you get a younger crowd and certainly a broader mix of people, including students who like some of the deals on drinks and the live music.
“Ask any of my staff, and they would be able to name 50 customers, what they drink and something about their family. We get to know our customers,” said Paula.
REGULARS: Michael Jones and son Neil Jones enjoy a pint at The Greyhound, still often called ‘The Old Greyhound’ in New Street (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)
What customers love about Old Greyhound
Among those enjoying the atmosphere when I visit are father and son, Michael Jones, 73, and Neil Jones, 38.
Neil says he has started coming here more regularly in the last two years. So what do they like about the pub?
Michael says: “It’s quiet and it’s friendly. There’s no trouble. The service is good. I’m quite happy here.”
Neil agrees, saying he also comes for the ‘friendly vibe’ and the sports (four big screens show all the sports channels, from Premiership football to rugby and horse racing).
INTERIOR: The Old Greyhound in New Street in Worcester is a city centre pub (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)
Another regular, Graham, who is also the cellarman, says: “It’s a lovely pub. The entertainment is spot on, and we have lovely customers, especially the regulars. It’s also very good value for money.”
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Paula says: “We’re doing well and we’re in profit. That says so much for the people of Worcester and our regulars. They’re the ones that keep us going. Without them, these beautiful historic pubs would shut down. Every single pint is under £5. I haven’t got a single draught beer over £5 – and that is fairly rare in this day and age. There are doubles and mixers for under £6, and that is also fairly rare.”
Choice of beers and lagers
Drinks being served include Fosters, Carling, Cruzcampo, Magners (original and dark fruit), Strongbow, John Smith’s, Coors, Guinness, Stella, Madrí Excepcional and Timothy Taylor’s Landlord as well as a broad selection of wines, spirits and soft drinks.
Carling remains their biggest seller. The pub is ‘wet trade only’ at the moment.
“We are doing perfectly well in terms of trade. We’re a friendly team with friendly customers. We’re always very welcoming here. We don’t judge. We have customers from all walks of life – and all are welcome as long as they behave,” said Paula.
PARTY: A younger crowd come for disco nights, live music and karaoke at The Old Greyhound in New Street (Image: Supplied)
Karaoke takes place on Tuesdays from 7pm and on Fridays from 7.30pm and disco nights take place on Saturdays from 7.30pm.
There are themed weekends once per month, such as 70s glam/Abba and live music on Sundays with everything from pop and rock music to country.
Passing trade is also important. Ms Burton says New Street, along with Friar Street, is one of the most historic parts of the city – and The Old Greyhound, managed by Proper Pubs, is part of this heritage.
CENTRAL: The Old Greyhound in New Street is a city centre pub which backs into Reindeer Court (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)
History of the Old Greyhound
A plaque outside the venue provides a helpful history. The grade II listed building was called the Greyhound by 1766 (when George II was on the throne), but may well have been an inn before that. In 1789, John Ranford, the landlord gave up the inn and built himself a new house, the New Greyhound, next door, now demolished to provide Marks and Spencer’s loading bay. The old inn continued to trade but took the name the Old Greyhound.
In 1801/2 James Durnford, who had been a publican himself, bought the Old Greyhound. He rebuilt the inn and put in a manager.
In 1815, his son, also James Durnford, became the landlord. In his day the inn was prosperous. Together with others, like the Reindeer and the Old Pheasant (now the Bishop’s Seat), it served the farmers and corn-dealers who bought and sold in the Corn Market. Behind was a granary to store the produce bought and sold. In 1820 a carrier service operated from the inn to nine destinations in the county. As the New Greyhound is now gone, the Old Greyhound is now the only pub of that name in the city centre (so it’s probably fair to refer to it as just ‘The Greyhound’ again).
