Menai Bridge pub reopens more than six months after closure

The Liverpool Arms, on St George’s Road, closed in November 2023 due to a “combination of factors beyond its control”.

The closure meant an end to 13 years under owners Carys and Robert Broadhead.

However, the nautical-themed pub has been brought back by passionate husband and wife Andrew and Llinos Thomas.

The Liverpool Arms, Menai Bridge. (Image: GoogleMaps)

No strangers to the pub industry, the couple having worked in and ran multiple hospitality businesses over the last three decades.

Working in his parent’s well-known pub back in the 1960s, Andrew’s love for pubs started from an early age.

Llinos, a retired nurse, has supported her husband’s love for the trade since the very beginning.

“Andrew’s dad owned a very-well known pub on the island, and he would help out in the family business ever since he was knee high,” said Llinos.

“My background is nursing, but I’ve always been involved in Andrew’s ventures and we both have so much love for the trade.

“I’d like to say we’ve built up a good reputation for ourselves over the years, the industry is now instilled into us, Andrew in particular knows no different.”

Despite partially retiring a number of years ago, when the opportunity came up to take on The Liverpool Arms Andrew’s mantra of ‘we’ve always got one more in us’ got the better of them, and fast forward to May 2024 they have just completed their first weekend at the helm.

Llinos continued: “Before we took on The Liverpool Arms we did our market research and talked to the locals, asked what the pub was missing and what they wanted to see more of.

READ MORE:

‘Fresh’ look for Anglesey hotel and pub ahead of summer

Inside the popular Anglesey pub open again after makeover

"If we were bringing the pub back to the heart of the community, we needed to make sure our guests would be happy with our offering.

“We’ve really listened to their feedback and we’re so excited to be putting our mark on the pub. It’s not just us involved, our son is joining the business with us, and he cannot wait to get started behind the bar.”

A self-taught chef, Andrew will be tending to the kitchen alongside their team of chefs who will be producing hearty, homecooked and good quality food.

With a stellar reputation for their dishes, derived from numerous years in the trade, the Thomas family are excited for the town of Menai Bridge to indulge in the pub’s new menu.

Noticing a gap for traditional pub food, Andrew has curated an offering which boasts pies and chips, lasagnes and fish which will all be made on site and where possible, locally sourced.

In addition, the Liverpool Arms will also be offering Sunday lunches and homemade desserts, from cheesecakes and lemon meringue to sponge cakes and custard.

Llinos and Andrew are also proud to offer a diverse drinks range which consists of four cask ales, three lagers, draught ciders and an extensive range of softs and zero or even gluten free alternatives.

Although they have a big focus on their drink and food range, the Thomas’ are passionate on guest experience.

Llinos added: “Customers are the heart of this business, and they’re the reason that families like us remain in the industry.

“The banter and camaraderie that we have is what makes the role worthwhile.

“We’re excited to continue our journey here at the Liverpool Arms and are excited for our future.”

Punch Pubs & Co operations manager Mark Cunningham said: “The Liverpool Arms is an excellent pub with so much potential.

“I’m delighted to see it reopen with Llinos and Andrew at the helm.

“They are fantastic, experienced publicans and I’ve no doubt that they will have the backing of the community behind them.”

Llinos and Andrew have also reached out to local musicians to explore the idea of acoustic sessions in the pub and are hoping that they can introduce regular entertainment later this year.