I visited 'rescued' Birmingham bar community lost faith in and owner 'is on a mission'

The bar on World's End Lane in Quinton is under new management and I went along to see how the overhaul was going

"There's a huge disco ball going up here," Rob Doran told me in his Liverpudlian accent as we explored the upstairs function room at Bar One in Quinton. The room was dressed as though to host a wedding, white covers on chairs tied with neutral sash bows.

The wall sconces are old fashioned, the ceiling lights too, contrasting against the trendy grey paintwork of the back bar and rejuvinated stage where the DJ booth is. "I won't be changing those," Rob said. "I like the mix of the traditional and the modern."

Rob has only been in the city for the past month, coming down from Liverpool on a whim to take control of the former Royal British Legion building on World's End Lane. The name of the road might indicate armageddon, but Rob and his staff are looking to the future with hope.

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The entrepreneur has run businesses in the north, security firms, car washes and limousine companies. He was visiting Birmingham for the day with a friend who "rescues British Legions, rebuilding them and reopening them as bars", he tells me, when two old ladies changed the course of his plans.

"I don't know a single person in Birmingham but I turned up to have a look and within five minutes, I fell in love with it. I don't know why, it doesn't make sense because I'm a Scouser through and through, but there was something I loved about it. I had it straight away.

"When I first pulled up, two little old ladies came over to say hiya. I hadn't even walked in the building but they were already coming to say hello. I felt at home. There's not many areas where you get that. Those ladies are coming back now for the coffee mornings we're starting to put on."

The bar, Rob admits, has a tumultuous history. He tells me how some people in the community had lost faith in the bar.

"There had previously been a problem with drugs in the building and I'm dead set against that, I don't want to see it, smell it, hear about it, any of that and you're barred. I'm ruthless with it, if you're involved in drugs, you're not getting in.

"I've spoken to the community police and they're doing checks daily now, driving past. I've put us on a watch because I want that, it keeps us all safe. I just want to make one place that's drug free, where you can go and have a drink and not be bothered. That's my mission."

Rob stands behind the bar back in the downstairs room which has also been decorated in those grey tones. Red seats add a pop of colour, as do the neon signs on the bar. Behind the new boss, a 'Penny Lane' street sign would give away his Liverpool roots, even if his accent didn't.

"My staff are all local people," Rob tells me. "I want us to be a big part of the community, not just atrracting a night crowd but I want mornings and afternoons filled too. It's a glorious little space.

"I'm putting in good energy, good smiles and good bar practices and standards. I've gutted the building and deep cleaned it so it stands the best chance. We've got a brand new team in place and I'm training them so they know what they're doing and how to treat people."

Now Rob has plans for karaoke nights, discos, a wrestling night as well as a comedy gig. The plan is to have a grand reopening in October, but he's keeping the doors open in the mean time, so locals can see the work that's being done.

"I've fallen into a building that's right in the middle of different cultures, we're getting people from every race and creed coming through the doors," he says. "Families and kids are welcome in and they're loving it.

"I'm not taking my foot off the gas until this place is right and the energy is right. It's got a good feeling and that's so important."

Rob has deals on pints, with selected drinks £3 during happy hour. He's working on overhauling the smoking area and getting the bar up to a fresh standard for the new chapter.

"I love it to bits," he says, offering me a drink. "I feel like I've fallen on my feet with this building.

"We stand a chance around here if people give it a chance. It's safe, it's run properly and the people working here are safe, pleasant and friendly and from your community. I think that gives us the opportunity to make this place into a decent spot that can survive."