The pub’s manager said most of its trade had ‘completely disappeared’
The pub’s manager said most of its trade had ‘completely disappeared’
Details about the farewell party for a historic Merseyside pub have been announced. The Winslow Hotel, next to Goodison Park, has been around since the 1880s.
It has welcomed generations of Everton supporters through its doors but its visitor numbers have fallen drastically since the men’s side moved to the new Hill Dickinson Stadium this season. Alan Myers, a football journalist and former director of communications at Everton, said the pub was “due to close in the new year” in a post on X on December 6.
This was confirmed by Dave Bond, the pub’s general manager, the day after. Dave, who has been the pub’s manager since 2014, told the ECHO: “It’s sad. It’s like an annex to the stadium. It’s enshrined in Evertonian DNA. Dixie Dean used to drink in there.”
Dave, who is originally from County Clare but now lives in Norris Green, argued it wasn’t financially viable to keep the pub going due to the collapse in business on matchdays.
Although Everton Women now play at Goodison, attendances have ranged from 3,000 to 6,000, well below the 40,000 that it used to house for the men’s side.
Dave said: “We tried to pre-empt the move (to the new stadium) with running coaches. That lasted about fix or six games. There was very little uptake. Our matchday trade has completely disappeared. I thought, maybe we’ll get a season out of it, maybe half a season, we got zero.
“It seemed like a good time to do it in January 2026 because it will be 140 years (since the pub opened). It’s not sustainable to keep it open.”
Dave insisted however he didn’t want to go out “with a whimper” and announced plans for a huge farewell party with entertainment and ex-players sharing their memories of the famous pub and the team as a whole.
At the time, Dave could not confirm a date for the party but he was working towards Saturday January 24 as the main option. That date has now been confirmed.
The event will run from 3pm until late on the 24th, with doors opening at 1pm. There will be guest speakers, live music and a buffet with hot and cold food.
As Dave confirmed previously, it will be a ticketed event but the price has now been revealed. It will cost £30.
A message from Dave on the event page warned that the event is likely to be a sell-out. He said: “Sadly it’s time to call time on the other old lady on Goodison Road.
“Since the inaugural game v Bolton in 1892 to the final game v Southampton, The Winslow has been an integral part of Everton folklore and the matchday rituals of so many generations of Blues.
“Let’s give her a fantastic farewell on January 24 2026. There has been huge demand and tickets will sell out fast.
“We will send out paper tickets as they can be kept as a souvenir. Please add your address when purchasing tickets.”
In December, Liverpool Council received a planning application for The Winslow to be converted into a 26-bed guest house. Dave said, as he is the manager of the pub and not the owner of the building, he does not know what will happen to the site.
Dave will be opening a new Everton venue called Dixie’s, located on Dickson Street by the Hill Dickinson stadium. This is likely to open shortly after The Winslow closes.
Dave said: “I will be trying to recreate The Winslow at Dixie’s, on Dickson Street by Hill Dickinson Stadium. I’m currently running (music and arts venue) Meraki and will also be the general manager at Dixie’s, which is located next door to Meraki and is due to open also in late January.
“So a goodbye to the old and at the same time saying hello to the new, if you will.”
You can find out more details about the farewell party here.
