BIG-HEARTED pub owners with a touch of old-fashioned Irish charm said their winning formula is to care for their community - but now it is time for others to take the reins and climb in the saddle.
Jim and Anne McKeever have run The Winning Post in Pope Iron Road in Barbourne, Worcester since they bought it in 2003 but are entering the final furlong in their long and happy career as the pub's owners.
Both are looking to retire and hope new owners can get a good run out of the starting gate when they take over the pub near Gheluvelt Park and Worcester Racecourse.
The pub's name was always going to pip others to the post and be odds-on favourite because of how near it is to Worcester Racecourse. As soon as the name was suggested it became a dead cert.
It was decorated accordingly with pictures and ornaments from the world of horseracing which jockey for the attention of visitors.
Jim, 66, described The Winning Post as a real local 'community pub' and added: "We have the best pint of Guinness in Worcester."
The couple, who live above the pub, said keeping the lines and pipes clean every week is the key to serving the perfect pint and that has meant it has drawn in customers of all ages and backgrounds.
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"We really care about our customers. People come in here because we care. If someone is missing for a few days we will find out what is wrong.
"There are no gimmicks here. We are here to serve you good beer. We like people to know we're a community pub and we're here. Everyone is always welcome - as long as they behave," said Jim.
Over the years the couple, who have five children between them, estimate they must have raised £100,000 for various charities and good causes including St Richard's Hospice, Help for Heroes, breast cancer charities and Worcester Talking News for the blind and have also supported St Joseph's Catholic Primary School in Warndon.
Jim said he and Bill Evans had organised golf days over 20 years which had, as a bare minimum, raised £800 per year. Christmas hampers for some of their regulars have also been one of their good causes and well-received.
Anne, 78, hails from County Roscommon while Birmingham-born Jim's mum was from Dublin and his father from Derry.
"We met in Birmingham in my ex-husband's pub," said Anne. "I have been in England for 61 years but I never lost my Irish accent because I haven't heard a nicer one."
Although The Winning Post may pride itself on its Irish links, it is also popular with an English city-born stalwart of the beautiful game - Alan Green.
The former Coventry City striker, born and bred in Tolladine, played against the three times World Cup winner Pelé in the 1970s in the Far East, describing him as 'the greatest of all time' and a 'wonderful player' in tribute to him after the legend's death on December 29, 2022.
His England cap and photos of Alan Green with Pelé are in pride of place inside the boozer.
One of the things the couple has prided themselves on is making the pub a pleasant and welcoming place for women as well as men which has meant revamping and expanding the toilets.
"We sell twice as much wine now because more men bring their wives," said Jim, citing the improvements.
Although Anne no longer works behind the bar because she is visually impaired, Jim described her as 'the backbone of this pub'.
The couple previously owned the Cap and Gown in The Tything which is now The Feathers (between 2000 and 2004) and many city people may remember them from those days.
They were also former tenants at The Cavalier Tavern which was in St George's Lane North near the old Worcester City football ground before it was demolished in 2016 (after the ground itself was bulldozed in 2014).
Anne worked not only as a landlady but as the chef, preparing up to 90 Sunday lunches in one go.
The Winning Post is open from 4pm to 11pm Monday to Thursday, from noon till 11pm on Friday and Saturday and from noon to 10.30pm on Sunday.
No dogs are allowed in the pub - which is not because they dislike them - but as a concession to Timmy, the couple's cat.
Jim said: "We are trying to sell the pub. If anyone is interested please come in and see us so we can retire. Make us an offer. It's ours to sell."
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