The pub has stood on the same street since the 1880s but will soon be pouring its final pint
Dave Bond, manager of The Winslow Hotel
Dave Bond, manager of The Winslow Hotel(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
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A famous pub next to Goodison Park, which has been loved by Everton fans for over a century, will close next month. The Winslow Hotel has stood on Goodison Road longer than the famous stadium and was an integral part of the matchday experience for many Blues who came to watch the men's side at the Grand Old Lady.
Decked out in royal blue, with EFC memorabilia adorning all of its walls, the matchday boozer calls itself 'The People's Pub' - referencing 'The People's Club' nickname that manager David Moyes launched upon his 2002 appointment in his first spell at the club.
The legendary striker Dixie Dean was a regular, ex-players Norman Greenhalgh and Jack Borthwick used to run it and it has welcomed fans and former stars alike over the years. In recent times, it was a central gathering spot for Evertonians welcoming the team coach before big games. There were queues out the door before the men's team played their final match at Goodison back in May.
Dave Bond, the pub's general manager, has been in charge since 2014 and made plans well-before the club's move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium to try and breathe fresh life into The Winslow by running coaches from the pub to the new stadium.
However, Dave has told the ECHO that this was not enough to keep the venue going. Alan Myers, a football journalist and former director of communications at Everton, said the pub was "due to close in the new year" in a post on X yesterday and this was confirmed by Dave this afternoon.
Everton fans outside The Winslow Hotel before the men's side played at Goodison Park for the final time in May
Everton fans outside The Winslow Hotel before the men's side played at Goodison Park for the final time in May
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The manager believes the pub will close towards the end of January 2026, although nothing has been confirmed at this stage.
Dave said: "That will mark 140 years of The Winslow as an Everton matchday venue. It predates Everton FC by six years. The Winslow has been an integral part of the matchday ritual for generations of fans."
Dave, who is orginally from County Clare but now lives in Norris Green, argued it wasn't financially viable to keep the pub going due to the collapse in business on matchdays.
Although Everton Women now play at Goodison, attendances have ranged from 3,000 to 6,000, well below the 40,000 that it used to house for the men's side.
Dave said: "We tried to pre-empt the move (to the new stadium) with running coaches. That lasted about fix or six games. There was very little uptake. Our matchday trade has completely disappeared. I thought, maybe we’ll get a season out of it, maybe half a season, we got zero.
"It seemed like a good time to do it in January 2025 because it will be 140 years. It's not sustainable to keep it open."
In December, Liverpool Council received a planning application for The Winslow to be converted into a 26-bed guest house. Dave said, as he is the manager of the pub and not the owner of the building, he does not know what will happen to the site.
Despite this, The Winslow isn't going quietly. A huge farewell event will be held, potentially on January 24, with entertainment and ex-players sharing their memories of the famous pub and the team as a whole.
Dave said: "We don't want to close the doors with a whimper. We’ll have the support of the club and some ex-players. We’re going to plan a fantastic night towards the end of January with live music and people talking about their memories of The Winslow.
"It's sad. It's like an annex to the stadium. It's enshrined in Evertonian DNA. Dixie Dean used to drink in there.
"I'm running a place down by the new stadium. I've had about 20 phone calls about The Winslow closing already. I think it's going to be a great night."
Dave is planning a farewell event before the pub closes
Dave is planning a farewell event before the pub closes
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The new venue will be called Dixie's, located on Dickson Street by the Hill Dickinson stadium. Dave is hoping that The Winslow will close on January 24 and Dixie's will open two days later on January 26, although he stressed that these are potential dates which could change.
Dave said: "I will be trying to recreate The Winslow at Dixie's, on Dickson Street by Hill Dickinson Stadium. I'm currently running (music and arts venue) Meraki and will also be the general manager at Dixie's, which is located next door to Meraki and is due to open also in late January.
"So a goodbye to the old and at the same time saying hello to the new, if you will."
Dave warned that The Winslow's farewell will be an all-ticketed event and has advised any fans interested to get their tickets early once they go on sale.
He said: "We've had a farewell to the Grand Old Lady. Now it's time to say goodbye to the other old lady across the road. Let's try to give her a big send-off."