While Everton’s stadium move has seen businesses by Goodison Park fear for their future, the Bramley Moore Pub located right outside the gates of the new stadium is experiencing a boost.
Rachel Flood, the daughter of the pub’s owner, has worked there for 33 years and is delighted about the effect of the new stadium.
Rachel said: “We’re Evertonians ourselves, so it’s just magical to us and we’re really excited.
“We can’t wait for the buzz to be back on the road, because there used to be a pub on every corner years ago and slowly that all went away so it’s just exciting.”
The pub has seen great success during the test match between Everton U18s and Wigan Athletic that saw 10,000 fans flock to the new stadium last week.
“We never experienced that amount, it was just brilliant and everyone was in good spirits” Rachel said.
“People are coming here now before games and then get a taxi up so we’re really busy.
“I think people want to see what’s down here, get to know the pub, get to know us.”
She is also optimistic about the stadium drawing more businesses to the area:
“There’s other bars that will be done for the start of the season, so generally yes there is going to be more businesses and more places to go and eat and drink, so I think naturally there’ll be a buzz anyway, so we’re just excited for all that.”
While the new stadium has been great for the Bramley Moore Pub, other businesses in the area have raised their concerns regarding the stadium’s impact.
An open letter to the Liverpool City Council has called attention to new “game day” parking and loading restrictions that will be in effect even on non-game days.
The letter states that these restrictions are “unjustified, unnecessary, and unsustainable” and calls for measures that include immediate suspension of the restrictions and consultations with the affected businesses.
On top of this, last week’s test match also raised concerns about transportation to the stadium on match days, showing that despite some positives there still is work to be done.
(Featured Image by Kea Gerike)
