The riverside pub that's been given an upgrade in all areas but still feels 'proper'

With more than a dozen pubs running along the banks of the River Severn, Ironbridge residents and visitors are spoilt for choice for places to go for a drink.

For those running the pubs, however, it can prove a challenge to make a profit amid the competition within the area, but one pub has managed just that.

Ye Olde Robin Hood Inn on Waterloo Street has been a constant feature in the town since the 1830s, and has been owned by the Holden's Brewery for the last 25 years.

It has undergone a transformation over the last nine months, thanks to the hard work of Sophie Rickerby and her team since they took over the pub to update all parts of the pub, from the food to some of the seating areas.

Ms Rickerby has had experience of running different pubs around Shropshire, having moved to the county as she felt it was a better place for her children. The Robin Hood is the seventh she has taken charge of and one of the friendliest.

She says: "This pub, in particular, is a very welcoming, friendly place where all the locals are lovely and, as well as that, it's in Ironbridge and who wouldn't want to work here?

"I get to look at the river every day, that's my scenery, and even when it floods, we don't get flooded and even if we're cut off a bit, there are bed and breakfast rooms for people to use."

The pub has been able to service three purposes as a real ale drinkers pub, a place that offers top-quality food and as a bed and breakfast with scenic views of the River Severn.

Ms Rickerby says that anyone walking in is guaranteed a warm welcome and a great pint, describing Holden's as a great family-run business and brewery. She also speaks about the work done to make the place welcoming.

"When I took over, I brought in entirely new staff and made a lot of changes to the kitchen and the food side, as well as just making it look a little bit prettier as it was a bit dark and dingy and I think the locals were craving someone to come in and do something with it.

"When you come in, you can expect things like a roaring fire and we do quiz nights fortnightly and also have someone come in to play vinyl records fortnightly as well.

"The locals have told us that they like what we've done with the place as it is a lot busier than it used to be and we have listened to them and, nine times out of ten, we've provided what they've asked for."

Being a Holden's pub, the regular beer is from the Holden's range, with Black Country Bitter, Black Country Mild and Golden Glow, the most popular of the three, always available.

Additionally, the pub also has a range of lagers and ciders such as Carling, Madri, Thatchers and Aspalls on offer, plus the food menu, which mixes traditional pub grub with some unique tastes, such as tikka fries and chicken breast covered in garlic chilli salsa.

Ms Rickerby says the pub has become a community hub which welcomed all ages, with new comfy sofas and board games available for children to play during the summer months.

She explains that the pub itself is a special place with good people and said that it is a rarity in Ironbridge in that it makes a profit.

"When you walk in, it feels like a proper pub, not one of those commercial places where they look the same, and it's the sort of pub I would want to drink in and others have said they'd like to drink in.

"We have a lot of competition in Ironbridge, but we most definitely keep our heads above water as we're running at a profit and are matching the profits being made before Covid, so we're in great shape."