New Owners Revive Formby’s Tin Shed Micro Pub 2026

Key Points

• The Tin Shed micro pub in Formby has reopened under new management, with a refreshed interior and historic beer pumps from Higson’s Brewery on display.
• Ade O’Dowd and Jackie Walsh are the new landlords and have pledged to keep the pub simple: real ales, good wine, and a community atmosphere.
• Four red beer pumps, salvaged from the Philharmonic theatre around 30 years ago, now sit on the bar and carry the iconic Higson’s stamp.
• The couple opened the new look Tin Shed last month, timing it with the Formby Live festival held near the village swimming pool.
• Changes include a reading and board games corner, quirky wall art, a large Liverpool waterfront picture, and smart new artwork on the front windows.
• No TV or sport is shown; the micro pub format is being retained while new touches are added.
• Prices are being kept competitive: cask ales under 5% are sold for less than £5 per pint.
• Local craft beer is prioritised where possible; a Colbier from Bootle is currently on offer.
• The pub is family and pet friendly, with outdoor pavement seating and 60 Brows Lane as its address.
• Old regulars and new customers have already begun returning since the doors reopened a few weeks ago.

 Formby (Liverpool standard) July 06, 2026 – A popular micro pub in uk/local/formby/">Formby has reopened with a refreshed look, new management and a little bit of Liverpool brewing history on the bar. The Tin Shed is now under the stewardship of Ade O’Dowd and Jackie Walsh who have vowed to keep it simple with great real ales, good wine and a real community atmosphere. The couple have introduced a number of distinctive changes while preserving the core identity of the micro pub that first opened in 2020.

What has changed at The Tin Shed since its reopening?

The most visible update inside the pub is the presence of four historic beer pumps rescued from the Philharmonic theatre more than three decades ago. As reported by the original local coverage of the Tin Shed’s reopening, the pumps bear the stamp of the famous Higson’s Brewery, which was formed in 1780 in Dale Street and made beer until 1990. According to the account shared by Ade O’Dowd, the former landlord of The Old Bank pub in Waterloo’s South Road, he was told about the pumps being removed from the Philharmonic roughly 30 years ago and given about an hour to claim them if he wanted.

Ade explained:

“I rushed over and bought four for £50 each. I took them with me when I left the Old Bank, and I am so pleased to be able to have them back in use again here at the Tin Shed.”

He added that the red pumps are “a real conversation starter as they are red and some people think they are for Liverpool. But they aren’t!” This statement, as quoted in reports of the renovation, underlines the owners’ intention to blend local history with the pub’s迎宾 role in Formby.

Beyond the pumps, the couple have introduced a reading and board games corner, added quirky wall art and a huge picture of the Liverpool waterfront to the pub in the heart of Formby village. A local business has added smart new artwork to the massive front windows, and inside one wall is adorned with clips from scores of independent beer makers. These details, as described in the original coverage, signal a deliberate effort to give the Tin Shed its own stamp without losing the micro pub atmosphere.

How are the new owners defining the pub’s atmosphere?

Ade and Jackie are determined to retain the atmosphere of the micro pub, while putting their own stamp on the bar. There is still no TV or sport being shown, and they have been welcoming old regulars as well as some new faces since opening the doors a few weeks ago. This approach reflects the core ethos of a traditional micro pub, where conversation and community take precedence over screen-based entertainment.

Jackie said:

“We want it to be a simple micro pub with real ales, a nice wine selection, bottled beers and ciders, as well as cider on tap.”

She added that she and Ade used to come to the Tin Shed for a drink before taking over, and that they hope to “establish a good reputation for our beers and create a lovely place for people of all ages to come, relax and enjoy a nice drink and company.” Their statements, as reported in the original news piece, frame the Tin Shed as a place designed for relaxation and social connection rather than a noisy entertainment venue.

What drink offering and pricing strategy are being introduced?

Local craft beer will be on offer where possible. They are currently serving a Colbier, brewed in Bootle. But on the whole, they couple are keen to make sure they are serving what they hope drinkers will enjoy. Ade added:

“I am fascinated by the brewing process. All beers are lovely, but some are better than others. We want to serve the best beers which we know will appeal to people.”

These remarks, as quoted in the original coverage, suggest a curated rather than mass-market approach to the beer selection.

The couple have also focused on maintaining competitive pricing. Cask ales under 5% are charged at less than £5 for a pint. This pricing strategy is intended to make the pub accessible to regular visitors while still supporting quality real ales. The choice to highlight ales under 5% reflects both a commitment to responsible drinking and an understanding of the local market in Formby, where value and quality are often seen as complementary rather than competing priorities.

How does the redevelopment fit into Formby’s community scene?

Ade and Jackie opened the new look Tin Shed last month, just in time for the Formby Live festival in the grounds of the nearby swimming pool. Timing the reopening with a local event indicates that the new owners see the Tin Shed as part of the wider community fabric, not just a standalone business. The festival, as described in existing local coverage, draws visitors into the village and provides a natural opportunity for new or refreshed venues to gain attention.

The pub is located at 60 Brows Lane, Formby, and is family and pet friendly. There is some outdoor pavement seating for people to enjoy a drink while they watch the world go by. This setup supports the idea of the Tin Shed as a “high street living room” where residents can gather before, during or after community events. The combination of indoor and outdoor spaces, along with the games corner and artwork, creates multiple ways for people to engage with the space, whether they are attending a festival, dropping in for a quiet drink, or staying longer to read or play games.

Background: The Tin Shed’s history and the Higson’s pumps

The Tin Shed first opened in 2020 as a micro pub in the heart of Formby village. Its original concept focused on a small, community-oriented space offering real ales and a relaxed atmosphere. Over the years, it built a reputation as a local favourite, attracting both regulars and visitors to the village. The new ownership by Ade O’Dowd and Jackie Walsh represents a continuation of this ethos, but with added emphasis on historical storytelling through the inclusion of the Higson’s beer pumps.

Higson’s Brewery, formed in 1780 in Dale Street, Liverpool, was a significant player in the city’s brewing history until it ceased production in 1990. The four red beer pumps now on the Tin Shed’s bar were rescued from the Philharmonic theatre around 30 years ago, when they were being taken out of use. Ade O’Dowd, who was then the landlord of The Old Bank in Waterloo, recalled being given an hour to claim them and paying £50 each. He later took the pumps with him when he left The Old Bank, and their return to active use at the Tin Shed marks a personal and historical link between his past pubs and his current venture.

The pumps’ distinctive red colour and Higson’s logo have become a visual focal point in the pub, drawing curiosity and conversation from visitors. Some people initially assume they are connected with Liverpool Football Club due to their colour, but as Ade clarified, they are not. Instead, they serve as tangible reminders of a bygone era of Liverpool brewing and add a layer of heritage to the micro pub experience.

Prediction: How this development could affect Formby residents and visitors

The reopening of the Tin Shed with its refreshed look, new management and historic beer pumps is likely to have several effects on Formby residents and visitors. First, the emphasis on community atmosphere, no TV or sport, and a games and reading corner should encourage longer, more social visits. This could strengthen the pub’s role as a community hub, particularly for families and older residents who may prefer a quieter environment. The family and pet friendly policy, combined with outdoor seating, also makes the space more accessible to a wider demographic, including younger parents and dog owners.

Second, the focus on local craft beer and competitive pricing may attract beer enthusiasts from neighbouring areas, potentially increasing footfall for the Tin Shed and for nearby businesses during events such as Formby Live. The presence of historic brewing artefacts adds a unique cultural element that could draw visitors interested in Liverpool’s brewing heritage, creating a niche tourism angle. Over time, if the owners maintain their stated commitment to quality and community, the Tin Shed could become a more prominent landmark in Formby, contributing to the village’s identity and helping to sustain local social life in an era where many independent pubs face pressure from rising costs and changing consumer habits.