A Birmingham neighbourhood pub with a ‘bad reputation’ has undergone a major transformation under new ownership. Cousins Lucky and Bixsy Singh took over the lease at The Maggies in Hall Green 18 months ago after being customers at the boozer for the past 15 years.
After spending their first year behind the bar repairing the Shirley Road venue’s reputation – banning troublesome punters and enforcing a new zero tolerance policy against anti-social behaviour – the pub recently rebranded as an Indian bar and grill, serving mixed sizzlers, curries, starters, biryanis and naan wraps alongside its usual drink offering.
The duo also hope to attract local families back to the place, after hearing from regulars that they avoided bringing their wives and kids there ‘because of the clientele’.
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“Pubs are vanishing,” said Lucky. “We had been coming here for a long time and saw that it was suffering, but we saw potential and thought we could make it work as a desi pub with an Indian grill.
“It’s taken patience to change the dynamic of the pub. But we’ve barred the riff-raff, set up cameras, started a zero tolerance policy and we’ve informed police where needed, so if we have any issues we let them know straight away.
“We’ve got restraining orders on a few people and we’ve stopped the DJ nights because it used to turn into a bit of a nightclub on the evenings and get quite rowdy. We want the place to be more family-orientated, we’ve held charity events and we sponsor our local kids’ and adults’ football teams.
“Before, people would say they couldn’t bring our wives or kids here because of the clientele, it was too rough, whereas now we’re getting people coming back for the first time in 10 or 15 years and they feel comfortable and safe. The number of customers in the restaurant has doubled and the feedback has been great. Everyone’s excited.”
Under the ownership of Lucky and Bixsy, who both have experience in hospitality, The Maggies has also benefited from a refurbishment inside and out, while maintaining its ‘retro vibe’.
The Grade II-listed pub, formerly named The Three Magpies, was originally built in 1935 for Mitchells & Butlers brewery. It was designed as part of a pair by Birmingham-born Edwin Francis Reynolds. Placed side by side with the nearby Baldwin pub, they recreate the profile of the Queen Mary cruise liner, which undertook its maiden voyage on May 27, 1936.