A historic Birmingham city centre pub used by TV crews to represent the world famous Garrison Tavern frequented by the Peaky Blinders is set to reopen as a Desi restaurant.
The traditional Grace II listed terracotta Bulls Head first opened at 38 Bishopsgate Street, near Broad Street, in 1901. It was rebranded as The City Tavern in the eary 1980s, but was boarded up a year after it was listed in 1998.
The multiplex cinema opening in July 2000 helped to transform its fortunes, but trade declined after the financial crash of 2008. The pub reopened amid a fanfare by Birmingham brewery Davenports in 2016 - being their first new opening in 30 years - and was used to relaunch the company’s iconic ‘Beer at Home; service in 2021. But a year later following the Covid lockdowns, Davenports sold the pub in February 2022 to an unnamed ‘investment fund’, and it has been closed ever since.
Posters in the window at the pub today (Tuesday, December 19) explain that it will reopen as an Indian desi restaurant in 2024, trading under the name of the Peg And Grill. The new operators have been contacted but had not commented by the time this story was sent out.
The posters predict "Great grills" and "Colossal curries" and add: “All this and more. Coming soon! We are looking for great people to join our team – we want to hear from you.” The email address for job hunters to send in a CV is [email protected].
A holding website at www.pegandgrill.co.uk promises: “A vibrant Indian restaurant is soon gracing Birmingham with its presence. Anticipate a sensory journey through India’s diverse culinary landscape, promising an unforgettable dining experience for Birmingham’s food enthusiasts.”
In October 2017, the exterior of the Bulls Head was dressed up as ‘The Garrison Tavern’ for the opening photocall of the fourth season’s premiere of Steven Knight’s Peaky Blinders drama series at nearby Cineworld, attracting huge crowds. Designed by renowned city architects James & Lister Lea, The Bulls Head was built at the end of the great Victorian era.
Rebranded The City Tavern in the early 1980s and Grade II-listed since 1998, the pub was boarded up a year later.
The pub currently still has the Davenports’ logo on both the Bishopsgate Street and Tennant Street sides of its corner position, just 100 yards from the entrances to Pryzm and Cineworld on Broad Street.
Mike Olley, general manager of Westside BID, said: "We're thrilled to be welcoming The Bulls Head back to Westside's trading businesses, albeit under its new name of the Peg and Grill. What a wonderful addition to the area this will be in 2024!"
1. The Bulls Head near Broad Street was used in a TV premiere for Peaky Blinders
2. The Bulls Head near Broad Street was used in a TV premiere for the Peaky Blinders
3. The Bulls Head used for Peaky Blinders TV premiere
4. Davenports pub The Bulls Head near Broad Street