Coventry pub The Beer Engine to open its doors again

Popular Coventry pub The Beer Engine is set to open its doors again on Wednesday.



The city centre pub has had a £50,000 make-over and reopens with the new landlords promising a return it to its real ale and live music heyday

Frazer Jones and Zoe Clift (pictured top) have overseen its transformation in Far Gosford Street after previous owners turned it into Boston’s bikini bar - sparking protests from drinkers and feminists.

Pub company owners Enterprise agreed to tear down the Boston’s frontage and signed the couple up to a three-year deal to turn it around.

“Ever since the whole Boston’s fiasco the place has struggled,” Zoe, a third-year student at Coventry University, said.

“People just didn’t like that. I think there might be a call for it somewhere in Coventry but not in this street.

“Everyone who has had it since has tried to take it back to what it was but hasn’t quite managed it. But the bands and the real ales are vital here.”

Legendary former landlord Ian McAllister turned the old Beer Engine into the place to be for up-and-coming bands before his shock death of an asthma attack in January 2010.

He also made it a must-visit pub for real ale connoisseurs.

Former regulars were among those protesting outside the venue after Boston’s brought about the scantily-clad staff dress code.

Frazer, 25, has previously run the Sovereign pub in Canley and worked at the Miner’s Arms in Nuneaton.

He said: “Far Gosford Street is an iconic area in Coventry. We’ve been told by everyone what the old Beer Engine was like.

“If Ian hadn’t died a lot of people would still be drinking here now. We want to take it back to what it was like when it was booming and honour Ian’s memory.”

The couple have been taking bookings from local bands since getting the pub in June. They have even managed to strike a deal for ultra cheap prices at the pump - real ales will be available from £1.80 to £2.10.

“We only lived over the road and we always used to come in here because we really liked the place,” Zoe, 21, added.

“We spoke to the pub company and had a few meetings to say we’d love to take over. We’re definitely going to be here for the three years and we’re looking to get the lease on it after that.

She continued: “The place looks really nice, you wouldn’t know it was the same place when you first go in.

“We absolutely love it here. We love the street and there’s so much going on.”

The pub will host live bands at weekends and has vowed bring back its popular Thursday open mic nights. Zoe and Frazer also plan to set up a minibar outside specifically for real ales from local micro-breweries.

I wish them well but can't think of a worse time to open a pub. There's a phoney consumer boom at present caused by the run up to the US Presidential election and interest rates are being rigged artificially low. Meanwhile youth unemployment and long-term unemployment in the UK are at record high levels. Things can only get worse in the medium to long term.

The Beer Engine could close after being warned to keep noise down...

A POPULAR pub and live music venue could be run out of business after Coventry City Council ordered bands playing there to keep the noise down.

The Beer Engine, in Far Gosford Street, only reopened in September with a new landlord promising to return it to its glory days as the place to be for live bands.

But two weeks ago, environmental protection officers issued the pub with an enforcement notice ordering it to turn down the volume.

Landlord Frazer Jones says it is a “joke” the venue is being targeted – especially in an area of Coventry known for its vibrant nightlife.

He said: “We had only been open three weeks and now the council have issued us with this order. Considering this is a live music venue, it does not help us in anyway.

“They said if we don’t adhere to their stipulations then a licence review could take place which could force us to stop live music completely – which means no customers and another derelict pub in Coventry.

“We have said we would try our best with the bands but it’s not as easy as that. They have drum kits which you can’t turn down.

“I think it’s a joke we’re being treated like this.

“We just want to have a venue for the bands and customers but this may all be in jeopardy. Without live bands here there is no pub.”

Frazer has overseen the Beer Engine’s transformation after former owners turned it in to Boston’s bikini bar – sparking protests from drinkers and feminists alike.

Legendary former landlord Ian McAllister made the old Beer Engine into the place to be for up and coming bands before his shock death of an asthma attack in January 2010.

He also made it a must-visit pub for real ale connoisseurs.

Frazer, aged 25, previously ran the Sovereign pub, in Canley, and worked at the Miner’s Arms, in Nuneaton.

After receiving noise complaints, environmental health officers visited the pub twice.

As well as keeping the volume at a minimum, Frazer has been ordered to ensure doors to the garden and smoking area remain closed at all times, disconnect outside speakers and put up signs warning drinkers to be quiet.

A Coventry City Council spokesman said: “A noise abatement notice was served on (owners) Enterprise Inns and the licensee on October 23.

“The notice does not ban them from playing live music but it does require them to keep the volume to a reasonable level when bands are playing so as not to disturb their neighbours.

“Far Gosford Street has a mix of residential properties, shops and commercial premises.”

No room at the inn for Coventry licensees over unpaid bill row



CHRISTMAS spirit ran dry at a city pub when Scrooge-like brewery bosses ordered bar staff to stop serving and gave the licensees an hour to clear out.

The young couple had only been running the Beer Engine in Far Gosford Street for three months when pub company Enterprise Inns kicked them out over an unpaid rent bill – just five days before Christmas.

Landlady Zoe Clift said the area manager arrived with a new tenant landlord and told them to move out their belongings within the hour.

It sparked fears that live bands booked to play at the popular city centre venue over Christmas may have to be cancelled.

“They have kicked us out because we got behind on some payments,” Zoe, 21, said. “All week long we’ve been trying to find a solution. We were told on Monday we could get a notice to leave, but would carry on running the pub over Christmas in someone else’s name.

“It was all sorted with the area manager. Then (they) came in with another tenant landlord and said we have to leave within the hour.

“We have nowhere to go, I’m trying not to cry just talking about it.

“The new tenant was there signing the papers in front of us. We had to leave our telly, sofas and the bed because we haven’t got the time to get them out.

“It’s five days before Christmas and we’re homeless. It’s heart-breaking.”

Zoe and partner Frazer Jones were desperate to be given more time to settle their bill so they could keep the business on. They say they feel very angry at the way the brewery has treated them.

But they were given a last-minute reprieve when the new tenant landlord took pity on them and allowed to live in the premises over Christmas.

The drama – which all happened on Frazer’s 26th birthday – sparked a stand-off between the outgoing licensees and Enterprise.

Before the new licensee stepped in and allowed them to stay, the couple were withholding money for an electricity bill which could have seen the power cut at the venue.

Zoe said Enterprise first sent bailiffs round last Saturday night over the debt – thought to be around £2,000 – who ordered them to stop selling beer.

“The pub was heaving full of customers and everyone heard it,” she said.

“The bailiff said to the barmaid ‘You can’t serve any more beer’. We only fell behind on one payment but they sent the bailiffs round just like that.”

New management confirmed on the pub’s Facebook page the Beer Engine will remain open over Christmas and will honour all live entertainment bookings.

Frazer and Zoe paid tribute to the pub’s “fantastic” regulars who even offered to lend them money to help them keep the pub.

Frazer – who previously ran the Sovereign pub in Canley and worked at the Miner’s Arms in Nuneaton - explained: “We’re just desperate for somewhere to live.

“The new tenant is doing us a bit of a favour. Even though we’re leaving though, the last thing is we want is for the pub to have to close over Christmas.”

Enterprise Inns said its new tenant landlord was Colin Maynard, who currently runs The Shakespeare, in Spon Street.

A spokeswoman said: “The Beer Engine will be open from this evening. The new publican is an experienced pub operator with good local knowledge of the area.

“We can also confirm that the previous publican left by mutual consent and in conjunction with his agreement.”