Peaky Blinders Pilgrimage Leaves Fans Underwhelmed as Iconic Pub Becomes Kitchen Showroom
Die-hard fans of the critically acclaimed historical crime drama Peaky Blinders have been making pilgrimages to Birmingham’s Small Heath district, hoping to soak in the authentic atmosphere of the Shelby family’s notorious watering hole, The Garrison pub. However, many have been met with a stark reality that has left them feeling decidedly deflated.
The Garrison, a central hub for the Shelby clan’s operations throughout the show’s six-series run from 2013 to 2022, was a pivotal location in the gritty narrative of Tommy Shelby’s rise to power in 1920s Birmingham. Its presence was felt from the very beginning, serving as the unofficial headquarters for the ambitious and often ruthless family. The BBC iPlayer synopsis aptly described the series as a “stylish, epic gangster saga,” highlighting Cillian Murphy’s portrayal of the “fierce, damaged crime boss Tommy Shelby.”
The recent release of the Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man film on Netflix, earlier this month, reignited interest and prompted many fans to revisit or discover key filming locations. This surge in interest saw a number of enthusiasts travelling to Small Heath with the specific intention of seeing The Garrison.
Unfortunately, upon arrival at the building, which stands on the corner of Garrison Lane and Witton Street, fans discovered that the iconic pub is no longer operating as a place to grab a pint. Instead, the premises have been transformed into a kitchen and bedroom specialist store named “Elegant.”
The disappointment was palpable among those who had made the journey. One fan, who had travelled from Coventry, expressed their dismay: “I wanted to do a bit of a tour doing the main locations now the film is out. I went to the Black Country Museum a couple of weeks ago and that was really good as that was recognisably from the show. But this is a bit underwhelming to be honest, I wish I hadn’t bothered.”
Local resident Louise Swann, 36, echoed this sentiment. “I came to take pictures of the pub and was disappointed to find it’s not a pub anymore,” she stated.
Another local, Glynn Jones, 65, felt that the building was a missed opportunity for tourism. “They should have turned it into a tourist attraction,” he commented. “The pub is a big part of the series, so it’s a bit of a shame. Now you come down here disappointed because it’s a kitchen place. There’s not a lot you can do about it – it was a great pub as well.”
Creator’s Guide to Essential Peaky Blinders Episodes
This fan disappointment comes as Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight has shared his recommendations for essential episodes that fans should revisit, or new viewers should watch, ahead of the release of the highly anticipated sequel film, The Immortal Man. The film, which sees Cillian Murphy return as Tommy Shelby, is set to explore Tommy’s confrontation with his son, Erasmus ‘Duke’ Shelby, played by Barry Keoghan.
Knight, who first teased the film’s release in 2021, has highlighted specific episodes that he believes encapsulate the spirit and narrative of the Peaky Blinders saga.
Recommended Episodes:
Series 1, Episode 1: The very first episode, which aired in 2013, is considered by Knight to be fundamental. He explained to LadBible that this episode “lays out what the whole series is about” and provides an unequivocal introduction to Tommy Shelby. He added, “It really says so much about what Peaky is going to be about and the whole episode is essential to know exactly what this family is and what they do and why they’re so fearsome.” The trailer for The Immortal Man even features Ada telling Tommy that his son, Duke, is now leading the Peaky Blinders “like it’s 1919,” referencing the show’s original setting.
Series 2, Finale Episode: This episode features a pivotal moment where Tommy is forced to assassinate a high-level military official by Chester Campbell, played by Sam Neill. Knight describes this as one of his “favourite sequences of the series,” explaining that it shows a man “who is not sure if he wants to live or die… [in this moment] we can see that he actually chooses life.”
Series 6, Finale Episode: The concluding episode of the sixth and final series is also on Knight’s list. This episode depicts Tommy riding away from his life in Birmingham, a symbolic act of seeking a simpler existence. Knight noted the significance of the horse he rides: “The horse he rides away on is a white horse. The horse he arrived on at the beginning of the series was a black horse… he’s riding away to have a simpler life.”
The film The Immortal Man is set in Birmingham during World War Two and boasts a star-studded cast including Sophie Rundle, Stephen Graham, Rebecca Ferguson, and Tim Roth. It premiered in cinemas across the UK on March 6th and is now available online on Netflix from March 20th. Netflix released the first full trailer for the film in December last year, building anticipation for the continuation of the beloved gangster saga.
