'Inspirational' figure sells legendary Liverpool bar after 54 years on same street

A legendary Liverpool bar has been sold by its "inspirational" owner, who has spent 54 years on the same street. The Pen Factory on Hope Street was opened in 2014 by Everyman Bistro founder Paddy Byrne, three years after the famous and long-lasting venue closed due to the Everyman Theatre being refurbished.

Paddy and his business partner Dave Scott set up The Everyman Bistro in 1970 when they were young graduates. Founded in the basement beneath The Everyman Theatre, the bistro developed a reputation as the epicentre of the city's arts scene. Quite like the Everyman Bistro, The Pen Factory quickly became a meeting place for creatives in the city, who would often come from the nearby theatres and art colleges to have a drink or a bite to eat.

A sign can now be seen on the door of The Pen Factory, which reads: "Dear customers, we are currently closed for a refurb. Please follow our social media for re-opening date". While it appears the bar will reopen, the ECHO understands that Paddy has sold the establishment.

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Yesterday the Arts Bar on Hope Street posted a heartfelt message to Paddy on their Facebook. It said: "Where to start with this man. Mr Hope Street. Thank you for the years of kindness, honesty, help and advice. After a total of 54 years on this street, it’s time to enjoy being a punter.

"Paddy has been an inspiration for us since opening our doors as 26 year olds in 2019. His story in our city is a famous one. Paddy took the leap on when he too was 26 and worked tirelessly to give a platform for local artists to meet, share ideas and try out new projects whilst also delivering a quality hospitality experience. He turned the Everyman Bistro in to a hotbed of creative activity, hosting countless big names and personalities. Many a famous creative tale in this city will mention Paddy.

"In the hospitality world, his eye for detail is incredible, whether that be with service, decor, table layouts, menu design, the lot. Constantly looking for ways to improve, develop and fine tune his offering. He welcomed us with open arms in to The Pen Factory, as he has with everyone when we crossed the road for a Friday night pint.

"He watched from across the road as we took over our site on Hope Street. He was drawn over by the noise and colour. He made sure to look after us, support where he could and make sure our teams came together to help one another (much more them helping us). We have shared a few nights, drinking a negroni, talking of times gone by and what is to come and we know through those nights he saw in us a glimmer of what he was doing many moons ago.

"Paddy, your legacy on this iconic street will be unmatched. Thanks for all the time and support you have given us. See you soon for a negroni."

Speaking to the ECHO earlier this year, Paddy told the story of how he came to establish the Everyman Bistro. He said: He said: "I wandered around France from when I was about 17, experiencing oysters and cider in Brittany, riding around on a bike. Wandering around Europe, things stood out as being quite different from Britain. Nobody really ate out in Britain then.

"It was a very middle class pastime - people sat quite formally in pairs around linen tablecloths. It was all quite staid - there was no passion in it at all. In Europe, eating was so much more of a social activity. I can think of going through France and you would go to a local restaurant at 12pm - there would be a long table, every metre or so there would be a bottle of wine, a jug of water.

"It was a cheap, healthy lunchtime meal. The man who swept the road outside the bank would be sitting next to the manager of the bank and there would be chatter and general engagement. Food and drink were happy companions in Europe. This was something I wanted to bring to Liverpool."

In September 1970, the Everyman Bistro was born, starting with one room and expanding to three. Its philosophy was to offer that informal approach to food and drink, serving continental-style dishes in a communal environment, largely made up of long benches.

Its location, close to Liverpool's universities and art colleges, meant it became bohemian bringing students and creatives together. The fact it was open until midnight also made it the final stop for certain people searching for another drink or two after they left pubs at 11.

About establishing that philosophy, Paddy said: "This area of Liverpool had a lot of cultural echoes of Soho in London. A big influence would have been the arts college. That was really meaningful. You got Adrian Henri, Sam Walsh, Jeff Nuttall, Arthur Ballard in. So there was a mix of creatives. It was lively and people wanted to be around those characters.

"I don't quite know how Dave and I were drawn in (to that world) but I think there were no barriers to coming in. Dave was still in Manchester finishing his chemistry PHD and I had gone into remedial education. We came in thinking we would do the bistro and we would do a film club. Then you get overwhelmed."

Those who worked at or frequented the bistro reads like a who's who of the Liverpool arts world. As Paddy says: "We had Dave Morrissey behind the bar, Carol Anne Duffy behind the bar, Alan Peters from the Almost Blues.

"Alan Bleasdale, Willy Russell and later Jimmy McGovern all came in, it would be Roger (McGough), Adrian (Henri), Brian Patten. Photographer Don McCullin would be in after a horrific time in Vietnam. He would be looked after - as it was, nursed back to mental health, by the likes of Adrian Henri."