250-year-old canal side Coventry pub closes...

[dutchman]

Management from the Longford Engine moved on in June



A canal side Coventry pub dating back to the 1700s has closed. Management from the Longford Engine moved on, closing doors to punters, at the end of June.

It would appear the owners are trying to find new landlords, with a sign on the pub advertising the lease. Because of its location, the venue is known for its canal views and popularity with matchday drinkers, usually welcoming away fans when Coventry City play at home.

Management shared a brief statement on its social media channels on June 29. It read: "Sad news but we are now closed until further notice."

A local who drinks in the pub told CoventryLive: "It's been shut a few weeks. I think the people running it were struggling to make it work - they hadn't been there that long. I've got no idea when it'll reopen."

According to website Love Your Pub, Bedworth Road venue was last on the market back in 2023. At the time it was described as a "brilliant community pub uniquely located on the canal side in Longford".

It went on: "The Longford Engine is a fantastic pub which is popular for its traditional pub food, sports, games and entertainment. With the pub's unique position on the canal this is a great opportunity for a publican who wants to both develop a community pub and a food business."

According to CoventryPubHistory.co.uk, the venue dates back to at least 1772 - but could be earlier. It was initially known as the Fire Engine, which over time changed to Engine Inn, then Old Engine Inn. It became the Canal Boat for a few years, but it had been known locally as the Engine for so long many ignored the new moniker.

It eventually became the Longford Engine in 2008 and has stayed with that name ever since.

[rebbonk]

They lasted 6 months, which was twice as long as I thought when I first met them.

[dutchman]

Coventry pub to reopen with huge launch party this week

A popular Coventry pub is set for a new lease of life after it closed earlier in the year. The Longford Engine has undergone a refurbishment and will reopen with a huge launch party on (Friday 12 September).

New pub manager Martina Coombes says the regulars can expect weekly events, entertainment and top notch pub food.

With doors opening from 3pm, the relaunch party itself is from 8pm. Local DJ legend Mikey Dee will be spinning the classics, with drinks offers and food on the go too.

"We’ve got a new chef in and loads of events coming up, it’s going to be brilliant," Martina told CoventryLive "Our new chef, Steve Sehmbi, is absolutely amazing. His food is incredible. He will start on Friday with the launch.

"We’ll have events every single weekend. Our launch night this Friday we’ve got a DJ Mikey Dee, who is brilliant and always gets people up on the dance floor."

Martina is no stranger at the Engine, having worked there for three years before it closed. She's already popular among the locals and knows what people want, so she hopes to hit the floor running.

Like any pub, she's keen to keep the locals and regulars happy, so will be taking suggestions from punters.

She said: "We’re going to try and get as much feedback from customers as to what they’d like to see. It’s a priority to keep them happy. From when I was be before, the main thing was the entertainment – every single weekend they want something on

"Keeping your regulars happy is so important - it’s a local pub, somewhere people spend a lot of their time - so we want to make it somewhere they love coming to."

The Longford Engine opens this Friday from 3pm.