Everton's Goodison Park Exit Causes Local Pubs Like The Winslow to Close

The Winslow pub, a 140-year-old business near Goodison Park, has closed its doors after Everton's move. This is a direct consequence of losing match-day crowds.
By Newsroom | Football, Business |

The departure of Everton Football Club from its historic Goodison Park home has initiated a period of considerable apprehension for many local businesses. Pubs and other establishments that relied on the consistent influx of tens of thousands of fans on match days are now confronting the potential for a significant downturn. While the club's move to a new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock represents progress for the team, it casts a shadow of uncertainty over the livelihoods of those whose operations were intrinsically linked to the old ground. The full economic impact remains to be seen, but for businesses in the vicinity of Goodison, the change marks the beginning of a worrying chapter.

A Historic Farewell and Economic Ripples

Goodison Park, a venue steeped in footballing history and the site of countless memorable moments, hosted its final Premier League game in May 2025. This farewell match saw a crowd of 39,201 attendees, highlighting the deep connection fans have with the stadium. The event itself was marked by significant emotion, with club legends and former players present. A planned "End of an Era" celebration further underscored the emotional weight of leaving a ground that has been central to the club and community for 132 years.

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‘The soul left’: how Everton’s move from Goodison hurt the area’s pubs - 1

  • Everton's last Premier League game at Goodison Park occurred in May 2025.

  • The attendance for this final match was 39,201.

  • The club has organized events to commemorate the closing of the stadium.

However, the transition from Goodison Park to the new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium has raised substantial concerns for local businesses, particularly pubs. The Winslow, a pub with a 140-year history located in the shadow of Goodison, was one of the establishments that closed its doors shortly after the team's departure. Its closure was preceded by a farewell event attended by former Everton striker Graeme Ferguson. The Harlech Castle pub, situated on County Road and a short walk from the ground, is also facing an uncertain future as its family owners anticipate a reduction in match-day trade.

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  • The Winslow pub, near Goodison Park, has closed following Everton's move.

  • The Harlech Castle pub anticipates a decline in match-day business.

Business Perspectives on the Move

The impact of Everton's stadium relocation on local businesses has elicited varied responses, from palpable concern to a sense of resigned acceptance and a belief that some entities should have been better prepared.

‘The soul left’: how Everton’s move from Goodison hurt the area’s pubs - 2

Concerns Over Declining Trade

Several business owners have expressed profound worry about the economic consequences of the club's departure.

  • Ms. Merner, whose family runs the Harlech Castle pub, views the impact on the area as pessimistic. She acknowledges that her family is "not naïve about what may be coming."

  • The manager of another pub near Goodison Park has raised concerns over the future of her business. This sentiment is shared by other establishments that have historically relied on fan traffic.

  • The closure of The Winslow serves as a stark indicator of the direct economic hardship experienced by some businesses following the move.

Preparedness and Adaptation

While many businesses face significant challenges, there is also a perspective that the move, though disruptive, is a long-anticipated development.

‘The soul left’: how Everton’s move from Goodison hurt the area’s pubs - 3

  • Some residents believe that while the club's move presents a challenge, many businesses should have prepared sooner for this eventuality.

  • Everton's move is described as "not a sudden development," implying a degree of foresight was possible for local enterprises.

A New Chapter for Goodison Park

In a late development, Everton Football Club has decided not to demolish Goodison Park as initially planned. The stadium will now become the permanent home for Everton Women, transforming it into the Barclays Women's Super League's most iconic venue. It will also host selected academy matches and expand Everton in the Community's L4 campus.

  • Goodison Park will now serve as the home for Everton Women.

  • The stadium will also host academy matches and community programs.

  • This decision was influenced by the club's new owners, The Friedkin Group, who aim to "keep football at the heart of the community."

  • Angus Kinnear, Everton CEO, stated that keeping the stadium at the "heart of the legacy project" was "incredibly important."

Expert and Stakeholder Commentary

The departure from Goodison Park has resonated beyond the immediate community, prompting reflection from figures within the football world.

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‘The soul left’: how Everton’s move from Goodison hurt the area’s pubs - 4

"When I see that, it makes me think about Highbury disappearing, it's another soul of English football which disappears. Of course, I understand it's evolution – I pushed my club to build the Emirates – but it is sad as well because part of our history goes."- Arsène Wenger, Former Arsenal Manager

Wenger's comments draw a parallel between Everton's move from Goodison and Arsenal's transition from Highbury to the Emirates Stadium. He highlights the loss of a unique atmosphere and the emotional attachment to historic grounds.

"We know how treasured Goodison is, not only to every Evertonian, but to the game itself, and being able to keep such an iconic stadium at the heart of the legacy project is something that has been incredibly important to us."- Angus Kinnear, Everton CEO

Kinnear's statement emphasizes the club's recognition of Goodison Park's historical significance and the commitment to retaining a connection to its past.

"Everton’s men left Goodison, and this was another farewell party… Ferguson had turned up to say goodbye. He recalls too the long queue that had already formed outside the pub an hour before he began serving at 9am on the day of Goodison’s final Premier League game."- Graeme Ferguson, Former Everton Centre-Forward (as reported by The Guardian)

Ferguson's recollection illustrates the strong sense of community and the deep historical ties that businesses like The Winslow had with the club and its supporters.

Conclusion and Implications

Everton's departure from Goodison Park has irrevocably altered the landscape for numerous local businesses that were closely intertwined with the stadium's operational rhythm. The economic implications are stark, particularly for pubs and other establishments that relied heavily on match-day revenue. While the club's move to a new, modern facility at Bramley-Moore Dock signals progress for Everton FC, it simultaneously necessitates a period of significant adjustment and potential hardship for many in the surrounding community.

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The decision to repurpose Goodison Park as the home for Everton Women, rather than demolishing it, offers a partial mitigation, preserving a part of the historic site. However, this does not directly offset the loss of the substantial fan base that once frequented the area. The future economic viability of businesses that depended on this consistent footfall remains a pressing concern. It is evident that for some, the "soul" of their business, deeply connected to the presence of the men's team at Goodison, has indeed departed. The long-term economic health of these businesses will likely depend on their ability to adapt and diversify their customer base beyond the traditional match-day crowds.

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why are local businesses worried about Everton leaving Goodison Park?
Businesses like pubs near Goodison Park relied on tens of thousands of fans on match days. With the club moving to a new stadium, they expect much less trade and face an uncertain future.
Q: Has any business already closed because of Everton's move?
Yes, The Winslow, a pub with a 140-year history located near Goodison Park, has closed its doors. This shows the direct economic impact of the club's departure.
Q: What is happening to Goodison Park now that Everton's men's team has left?
Goodison Park will not be demolished. It will become the new permanent home for Everton Women and will also host selected academy matches and community programs.
Q: When was Everton's last game at Goodison Park?
Everton played their final Premier League game at Goodison Park in May 2025. The attendance for this historic match was 39,201 fans.
Q: What do owners of pubs like Harlech Castle expect to happen?
Owners of pubs like the Harlech Castle, located near Goodison Park, expect a significant reduction in match-day business. They are preparing for a decline in customers now that the main team no longer plays there.