About Us

Here is just a little info to let you get to know us better...

History

Here is a little potted history of our pub and the local area... if you have a spare minute or two and maybe a cup of tea (or is that a G&T), we think it's well worth a read.

The earliest reference we can find of the pub dates from 1864, when it was being used as the venue for a meeting of the Royal Lord Belgrave Lodge of Oddfellows. In those days it was called the Talbot Inn. We don't know when the name was changed, but by 1890 it had become the Grosvenor Arms, and a third floor had been added. It subsequently became the Grosvenor Arms Hotel.

A meeting of the Royal Lord Belgrave Lodge
of Oddfellows

The pub went through a purple patch in the sixties and seventies under the aegis of Ted Roberts, when the great and the good of Cheshire used to flock there.

This room is now the library.
The fireplace is now a door

The entrance hallway. The stairs have gone,
but there's still a bar

The Grosvenor was the second pub that we opened in the Chester area after Harkers, and it was one of the 'white elephant' sites that we seem to be fond of - when Jerry and Graham first looked at it, it was shut up and in a sad state of repair. It was damp, musty and unloved.

The Grosvenor Arms in 1890

The story of how we got it is great - Allied Lyons had the lease, but had seriously failed to maintain the property, which they were contractually obliged to do. They were looking to sell the lease on for a hefty amount, but by dint of some hard-ball negotiating, they ended up paying us £60,000 to take it off their hands - a sweet result. The Grosvenor estate, who owned the property, have proved to be lovely people to do business with, and share many of our core values.

Part of the Grosvenor estate

Many people thought we were bonkers to spend so much on a site with such a history of failure, and of course we're very pleased it has proved to be so successful.

Amazingly little has changed in 110 years,
apart from the addition of the flat roofed
annex on the right of the building

Anyway, the building is not that great - it was designed by a famous local Victorian architect called John Douglas. People rave about his work and there are all sorts of societies and individuals devoted to preserving the buildings he designed, but Jerry for one thinks he was an architectural vandal. He destroyed many of the fine medieval buildings in and around Chester in the name of progress, re-facing them with fake black and white timbering and often simply demolishing the original. His designs are made to look good from the outside but are often impractical, with windows you can't see out of and doors in the wrong place. Jerry should know because he lives in one. Still, John Douglas wasn't alone - the Victorians were generally arrogant when it came to building, believing that the past was worthless and just had to be replaced with the new and the modern. It all happened again in the 60's. Plus a change...etc.

Photos courtesy of the archive dept, Grosvenor Estates, and Alan Cotton.

If you'd like to put a name to a face, allow us to introduce you to the crew...


Front of house

Justin

Manager

Justin came to us from a successful career in the motor trade, but after 18 years it was time for a complete change. He is a natural host and genuinely enjoys looking after people, dashing about the place in a whirlwind of enthusiasm. Justin is married with two boys, and when he isn't running around the pub, he runs up and down hills.

David

Deputy Manager

In a previous decade Dave would have been hanging out with the Beachboys. Being of an aquatic nature, he has taught windsurfing and water-skiing in Greece and Australia for 4 years. He did a bit of work in his local boozer in Kelsall when he got back from abroad, liked the job, joined us and the rest is history. Dave can now be found spending any free moments he has riding one of his many bikes, whether it be road or mountain.

Kevin

Deputy Manager

Kevin's CV said he came from Newcastle which instantly secured him an interview, it was a surprise however when he greeted us with an Australian G'day rather than a Geordie Howay and it was then we realised our mistake. Kevin's path to the UK was all due to the love of a good woman, Kevin's path to the Grosvenor was all due to the love of wine and good food. He has also told us he is a class act on the dance floor, we can't wait to see his moves.

Sam

Junior Deputy Manager

Sam is the first assistant we have had who has gained all his experience before accepting the job. He graduated with two degrees from York. A first class honours with distinction in drinking, partying and socialising, and whilst he was there in his spare time he picked up a BA (Hons) in Criminology. Whilst at the Grosvenor he has worked as a KP, Chef, Cellarman and front of house before deciding to take it all seriously and join the management team and put both of his degrees to good use. Sam is a big Liverpool FC fan and a big hearted philanthropist who recently donated his car, clothes and saving to the poor and needy folks of Paris.

Michael

Assistant Manager

Mike is the perfect fit for the Grosvenor. He has progressed through our ranks from washing the plates to supervising the staff. He has completed his degree at Liverpool University, worked in Chester nightclubs and spent a lot of time in front of the camera as a professional model. He is a talented man.


Kitchen

Stuart

Head Chef

Stuart's hobby is cooking, so he is in his element. He hails originally from the town renowned for a world class rugby team, St Helen's, and remains a keen supporter of Saints RFC to this day. He plays squash (all be it not since 2006) and enjoys the odd game of golf, believing that you should get as many swings for your money as you can. Stuart is married with two children.

Amy

Junior Sous Chef

Amy worked front of house at the Wharf before she won their 1st birthday baking competition and was asked to work in the kitchen. She then decide to work at Red Fox, with promises of gin and cider, and now she has made her best decision in deciding to come and work at The Grosvenor (with promises of even more Gin and Cider).

Nick

Junior Sous Chef

It feels like there have always been Blazey's at the Grosvenor. This is Nick's second time working here. In between his two stints, his brother, sister and dad have all worked here as well. Nick's dream at one time was to become a wrestler, he also has a love of Marvel, Dr Who and Rum. Who would have guessed? We are so pleased to have him back home with us.

Kieren

Chef de Partie

Kieren is a big Everton Fan, but we didn't let this stand in his way at the interview. Big hearted and always with a ready wit and a smile he is great to have around the kitchen. He is married with three children and so he has to buy five home kits every August, he drinks Chang beer and buys his cars from Cazoo. What a great guy.


Maintenance

Diane

Cleaner

"Di bach" as we call her (with a heavy Welsh accent) brings a much needed touch of glamour to the often roughie toughie world of cleaning! Married with two children, Di likes nothing better on a Friday night than being tucked up in bed with some cocoa watching her favourite Welsh soap, Pobl y cum. She takes a great pride in her job, and is never shy to show you her gleaming pub. This is her second time round working at the Grosvenor, we are pleased she saw the light and came home.