Anchors Away. The reopening of Digbeth's historic pub.

An historic public house in Birmingham, designed by renowned architects and built before the advent of electricity, has reopened to the public following a £100,000 restoration.

The Anchor Digbeth, which has been a fixture of Birmingham’s landscape since 1797, has been painstakingly restored to its former glory by new landlord Peter Connolly.

Recognised by Historic England as a Grade II protected heritage site, the magnificent terracotta-fronted building was originally constructed to a design by James and Lister Lea - an architectural firm responsible for some of Birmingham’s most impressive Victorian-era public houses.

A mainstay for Birmingham’s Irish community, including being owned by successive generations of the Keane family since the 1970s, The Anchor is located in the city’s Irish Quarter - home to countless generations of Irish emigrants and workers since the 1820s. 

Peter Connolly, new custodian of The Anchor Digbeth, said: “It’s a pleasure to finally reopen the doors to this wonderful building, following a renovation that took a little longer than expected - but good things come to those who wait.

“This is a Birmingham institution, one that we’ve heard stories about going back generations. 

“The building is majestic from the outside, and so it was essential to ensure the interior matches the exterior. 

Connolly continued, “Key for me was to restore The Anchor Digbeth in a way that is synonymous with traditional Irish and British pubs. 

“We’ve been posting details about the work being carried out online and the response has been overwhelmingly positive.

“Now it's about welcoming customers, old and new, and sharing this absolute gem of a pub with the world once again.”

The renovation has seen specialist restorers preserving many of The Anchor Digbeth’s original features, including its mahogany and rosewood bar and bar back, Minton floor tiling, redwood and pine flooring, cast iron radiators, and stained-glass windows, as well as maintaining the original layout of the main bar, back room, and snug.

A section of the main bar, partitioned off by the original timber and stained-glass has had its former name The Midland Red Bar restored in honour of the historic  Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Company Limited (also known as Midlands Red) depot site next door - now occupied by Birmingham Coach Station and operated by National Express.

One of a handful of screens installed thoughtfully across the premises will be dedicated to live arrivals and departures at the station next door. 

Featuring upholstery in the same colour as the famous bus livery, as well as photographs and posters donated by National Express, The Midland Red Bar pays homage to the Anchor’s past as a haunt for bus drivers from 1929 to 1986. 

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: The Anchor is a fantastic heritage asset, a statement asset for Birmingham and the region and it's going to draw people here - I look forward to coming back again and again.”

New additions to the building include a large garden wall mural playing on the 1928 Cadbury campaign ‘There’s A Glass And A Half of Full Cream Milk’, adapted for fans of Guinness, along with a cheeky play on Michaelangelo’s famous work ‘The Creation of Adam’ covering the entire ceiling of the back bar.

With new decking, a stretch covering, with walls taken back to bare brick, festoon lighting, and a new access point via the side of the garden, The Anchor Digbeth’s revamped cosy and intimate garden space complements the interior following extensive work.

Working with community organisations including Friends of Bradford Street, Peter Connolly and team will be working with local partners and city agencies to improve lighting, safety and general upkeep in the immediate area.

With six new cask lines for ales and cider, three keg lines for independently produced ales, and partnerships with local brewers and distillers including Church End Brewery and Spirit of Birmingham, The Anchor Digbeth will ensure Birmingham produced drinks have an additional outlet for sales.

Members of global reggae stars UB40, Mayor of the West Midlands Richard Parker, and leaders from Birmingham’s Irish business community helped relaunch The Anchor Digbeth at a special evening, with the business open to the public from Friday 31 October 2025.

Introduced by Professor Carl Chinn, long-term building owner Gerry Keane and with performances from an Irish piper and renowned trad folk musician Peter Coughlan, the launch saw 160 figures from across the city welcomed to the building to celebrate its reopening.

The Anchor Digbeth is open from 1200 - 0000 Mondays to Sundays.