In a year marked by significant challenges for the UK's hospitality sector, Birmingham has witnessed a series of heartening revivals. Despite a bleak national backdrop of closures exacerbated by the Autumn Budget, four local pubs have been triumphantly brought back to life in 2025, offering a beacon of hope for drinkers and the community.
A Glimmer of Hope in a Tough Climate
The pub industry across the UK has faced another difficult period. The recent Autumn Budget delivered what many saw as a further blow, with UK Hospitality predicting that business rates reform would hike costs by an average of 15 per cent for pubs. Against this doom and gloom, the successful resurrection of four Birmingham establishments stands out as a notable success story, proving resilience and enduring demand for well-run local venues.
The Four Pubs Making a Comeback
These four venues, each with its own unique character, have reopened their doors to the public, injecting new life into their respective neighbourhoods.
The Anchor, Digbeth
After a closure lasting just five months, The Anchor on 308 Bradford Street reopened on Halloween. The red-brick pub underwent a major refurbishment under new landlord Peter Connolly. Connolly, who also runs the Irish bar Nortons, has ensured the revival was more treat than trick, with early reports praising a superb pint of Guinness. Its return highlights the potential loss Birmingham faces if its historic pubs are allowed to disappear.
Spoilers, Digbeth
Filling a space left vacant since 2022, Spoilers opened earlier this year at 81 High Street, within the former Kerryman pub. This movie-themed bar offers a less traditional but highly engaging experience, combining pop-punk nostalgia with cinematic decor. Tapping into the city's rich musical heritage, it has quickly established itself as a popular late-night rock bar in the creative heart of Digbeth.
Kennedy's, Moseley
Taking over the site of the former One Trick Pony at 93 Alcester Road in Moseley, Kennedy's is the area's newest pub. Owner Gary McDonnell, of Hennessey's Bar fame, is not trying to reinvent the wheel. He described his vision to BirminghamLive in October as a "modern local pub with no delusions of grandeur", promising live music, sport, quizzes, and good food—a straightforward formula for a beloved community hub.
The Gunmakers Arms, Birmingham City Centre
Previously a CAMRA Rising Star award-winner, The Gunmakers Arms on 93 Bath Street fired back to life on December 19. Now under the stewardship of Mason Newman, who has worked with rock legend Ozzy Osbourne, the pub blends tradition with a fresh twist. While cask ales make a welcome return, Newman has ambitions for his Guinness to be considered the best in Birmingham. The pub, once named among the city's 'most underrated' by Birmingham CAMRA chair Mark Parkes, is poised for a new chapter.
What This Means for Birmingham's Future
The revival of these four pubs demonstrates that even in a harsh economic climate, opportunity and community spirit can prevail. These successes rely on passionate owners, unique concepts, and a dedication to quality. They show that Birmingham's appetite for a great pub—whether a traditional ale house, a themed rock bar, or a straightforward local—remains strong. While the sector's challenges are very real, these stories provide a crucial counter-narrative of resilience and revival. Only time will tell if these new ventures can thrive long-term, but for now, they represent a significant win for the city's social and cultural landscape.
