Seven years of the Jolly Sailor
Today (Monday 15th June) marks seven years since we opened the doors at the Jolly Sailor – and what a seven years it’s been. A lot has happened in that time, but we’re overjoyed to still be Davenport’s community pub.
It’s hard to believe now, but before we came along, the Jolly had been sitting closed and empty. The pub, first built in 1895, called last orders in January 2018, at a time when pubs were closing across the country at a rate of 18 a week.
We knew Davenport deserved better. So after more than a year of planning, plenty of hard work, and an investment of close to £1 million, the Jolly Sailor reopened its doors in June 2019 – complete with our lovely orangery, a big sunny patio, and of course, the Sunday carvery.
The welcome we received back in 2019 meant the world to us, from the people of Davenport first and foremost, but the press were pretty kind too!
I Love Manchester called the reopening “proof that good pubs will survive and thrive”, and found the place buzzing with families just weeks after we’d opened. Marketing Stockport shared the news before we’d even reopened, with 40 new jobs created at the Jolly and a few kind words about our knack for rescuing pubs that had become “un-loved”. Food blogger Hungry Hodophile popped in that first summer and said “the outside seating area was full of families enjoying the sunshine and inside was thriving with locals having a pint whilst taking in the changes to the décor and interior”. Manchester Food Tourist, who visited in our opening month, said we “couldn’t have asked for anything better” as the sunshine brought the new patio to life.
A lot has changed since 2019, but the important things haven’t. The Jolly is still right at the heart of Davenport: Martin’s quiz on a Thursday, carvery Sundays, celebrations big and small, and all the familiar faces who’ve been with us since day one. To everyone who’s pulled up a chair, raised a glass, or made the Jolly part of their week over the past seven years – thank you. This pub belongs to its community, and we couldn’t be prouder of that.
