The pub will shut its doors in June before reopening in autumn
13:36, 10 Mar 2026Updated 13:57, 10 Mar 2026
The Griffin in Widnes(Image: Google Maps)
A historic pub dating back to the 18th century is set to close to make way for a new restaurant. The Griffin in Bold Heath, Widnes, will shut its doors in June before being redeveloped into a Hickory’s Smokehouse.
The venue will undergo a complete refurbishment and is scheduled to reopen in early autumn as Hickory’s Widnes. Around 90 jobs will be created as part of the new restaurant’s launch. Staff at The Griffin have been informed of the plans and will receive support during the transition.
Hickory’s says further details about the restaurant and its opening will be announced in the coming months. Visitors can expect a “truly authentic smokehouse experience,” with the new site set to include cosy dining booths, a chef’s bar and several family-friendly features such as a movie room. The bar area will also show live sport every day.
A spokesperson for Hickory’s said: “We are delighted to be heading to Bold Heath. We’ve got strong links with the area, and we’ve already got to know so many guests from the local community, who have been visiting our neighbourhood bar and restaurants in Chester, Standish and across the region.”
Hickory’s Smokehouse team in Chester after its grand reopening and expansion in 2025(Image: Neil Cooper)
Rob Bacon, director and the original chef at Hickory’s Smokehouse, said: “I’m genuinely excited to be opening our first Hickory’s in Bold Heath. It’s going to be a very special opening for me and the whole team.
“I know first-hand just how welcoming the local community can be, and I can’t wait to welcome friends, family, and guests to our latest smokehouse in the north west.”
The Hickory’s Smokehouse team has also acquired The Bear and Staff, located in the heart of Gateacre, which will become the group’s first Liverpool location. The Bear and Staff is one of the area’s oldest licensed houses and can be traced back to the 1800s when it was used as an inn.
A “significant investment” has been made to bring the concept to fruition and is expected to create 100 jobs for the area. Hickory’s Smokehouse has scheduled the opening for summer, promising everything people love from the pub and the barbeque group’s famous menu rolled into one.
The Bear & Staff pub, Gateacre(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
Announcing the plans, a spokesperson for Hickory’s Smokehouse told the ECHO: “The team at Hickory’s are thrilled to be coming to Liverpool (Gateacre)! We are delighted to be heading to Liverpool – it’s been on our radar since the very beginning and Gateacre seems like the perfect place to call home.
“We are so happy to be finally planning our first Hickory’s in the city, we’ve got to know so many guests from across Liverpool who have been visiting our neighbourhood bar and restaurants in West Kirby, Chester and Southport for many years now. We are delighted that the people of Liverpool will finally get a Hickory’s on home turf.
“We’ll be spending time getting to know the local area and our ambition is to create something truly special. We are looking forward to becoming part of the community for many years to come.”