Owners of Ma Boyles in Liverpool have acquired what is their fourth pub in the city centre – a venue in the Ropewalks district that has been serving drinkers for almost 200 years. Tony McDonough reports

Hospitality venture Ma Pub Group has acquired its fourth pub in Liverpool city centre.

Ma Pub Group bought Ma Boyle’s Alehouse & Eatery off Water Street in 2015 followed by the Tempest in Tithebarn Street in 2021 and opened Novia Scotia at Mann Island in 2022. Now Newington Temple makes up the quartet.

Located just off Bold Street in the Ropewalks area of the city centre, the venue has been serving drinkers for almost 200 years. It has had various names including Old Rope Walks, Bier and most recently a “dive bar”.

Ma Pub Group will invest £150,000 and return the centuries-old inn to a traditional wet-lead-classic pub, with an emphasis on draught and cask ales and showing Premier League football. 

This follows the growing trend for characterful and historic pubs in Liverpool being revitalised and Newington Temple will be part of this burgeoning scene.

It will be closed for three weeks for refurbishment and is due to reopen in mid-March with 15 new jobs created. The venue’s new look will be revealed in the coming weeks, along with further details on drinks and entertainment.

Director of Ma Pub Group, Iain Hoskins, said: “Having started with my first wet-led pub 13 years ago, Ma Egerton’s Stage Door, and since then opening food-led hospitality businesses, I feel like I’ve come full circle with Newington Temple.

“Pubs are back in a massive way and Liverpool is leading the renaissance for not only all the new openings, but the diversity in the styles of pub-outlets – most of them independently owned and operated.

“There’s a classic pub aesthetic that appeals to almost everyone that is both timeless and cozy and feels very much what people want now.

“Newington will definitely have that classic Victorian pub feel, but with an edge like you would see in some of current sites like Ma Boyle’s and Nova Scotia and like those its appeal will be completely cross-generational.

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“I’m thrilled to have a site in my favourite street in the world and what we offer with Newington will be the perfect accompaniment to the incredible restaurants that make Bold Street one of the most unique streets in Britain.”

He added that Ma Pub Group’s existing three sites have continued to trade strongly, with a strong 2024 leading into hopes for a busy 2025.

“While the trading environment has been tough with huge on-going challenges, I’m proud that our existing sites continue to grow their sales and reputation amid these choppy times. Newington Temple is a great addition to our portfolio,” said Iain.