On 29 February 2016, armed with a passion for real ale, his mum’s life savings and a motto of ‘it’ll be reet’, Gary Quinn opened the doors of a new pub in Preston city centre.
Gary had signed the lease on what was a dilapidated former charity shop in Lancaster Road just months earlier. Ten years on, that leap of faith has become one of Preston’s greatest pub success stories – the Guild Ale House.
I went to meet Gary shortly after opening on a Friday afternoon. To my surprise, I wasn’t the first through the door – and as we spoke, a steady stream of regulars followed. Some were greeted by name, others hadn’t even reached the bar before their pint is half poured.
During our chat, it quickly became clear that loyalty and community have always been at the heart of the Guild Ale House.
Gary, who previously worked at St Gerard’s Club in Lostock Hall and has pubs in his family history, tells me: “After introducing the club to real ale and beer festivals, I finally decided to open my own place. After months of searching, I stumbled across this space during a mooch around town. I looked through the window, saw the staircase and thought ‘that’s cool’. It had been empty for years, but that didn’t deter me – mainly because I went in with my life’s motto of ‘it’ll be reet’.
“After borrowing my mum’s life savings, I signed the lease and set to work with my hammer. Once I’d cleared all the old shop fittings, I called in the professionals. With blood, sweat, lots of tears – and an immense amount of help from friends and members of St Gerard’s – we somehow managed to open the doors and begin the story of the Guild Ale House.”
It was always Gary’s plan to get back to basics with support from the core team of his partner Jane and brother Kevin. “We knew we wouldn’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but we had a plan and we stuck to it,” says Gary.
“We wanted a real pub with real ale, real people, and real conversation. Somewhere free from the distractions of the modern world, where people actually talk to each other and connections are made. A decade later, I think we’ve achieved that.
“It makes me extremely proud to see how everyone gets along and the way new friendships blossom. It really does have a community feel, which is something quite rare in a city centre pub.”
Despite being ‘quite stubborn’, Gary has been guided by his customers to make certain changes over the years.
“We replaced the blackboard menu with a large screen, and we show the occasional sports event. We now serve spirits – I still won’t do cocktails though – and we even have lime and blackcurrant for those strange people who want it in their drinks.”
While the pub has adapted, Gary and the team’s values have stayed the same, as has their welcoming approach to hosting gatherings and events.
“We’ve had some great times and made incredible memories. Over the years, we’ve hosted morris dancing, comedy nights, charity events, live music and more. Customers and friends have held family gatherings and celebrated life events including birthdays and retirements.
“We’ve won a couple of awards along the way too. We were CAMRA Central Lancashire Pub of the Year in 2018 and 2020, and won Pub of the Season in 2024 – which is testament to our very small team.”
Today, the Guild Ale House hosts live music on a couple of Sunday afternoons each month, plus open mic nights, ukulele club meetings, and quiz nights. Gary is now planning a fitting celebration for the pub’s upcoming 10th birthday.
“We’re hosting a weekend of live music, food and drink offers for all our customers. On Saturday (28 February), we have Ad & Dave belting out anthems from the last seven decades. On Sunday (1 March), we’ll be rocked out by Tin Pan Alley, playing hits from Jimi Hendrix, Cream, Fleetwood Mac – and possibly some Lynyrd Skynyrd. We’re doing drink offers and free food for all on Sunday – it’s gonna be epic.”
The generosity of the celebration reflects Gary’s appreciation for his customers. “We’re in an old building with its fair share of quirks, leaks, and temperamental electrics, but we’re lucky to have a friendly customer base who are willing to help,” he says.
That community spirit is reflected in the pub’s drink selection. From ales sourced across Yorkshire, to German beers such as Paulaner, and unique craft offerings like Fruli and Zot, Gary carefully curates what’s on tap to suit the Guild Ale House’s clientele.
“I enjoy choosing the beers, even spending my ‘day off’ poring over lists. Over the years, I think we’ve got it about 95 per cent right,” he says.
As the decade has passed, Preston’s pub scene has grown with the likes of Plug and Taps and Winckley Street Ale House strengthening the city’s offering.
“The owners community is really supportive,” says Gary. “We have a WhatsApp group where we share issues, and it’s great to work together on events like Preston Pub Festival. It all helps make the city’s beer scene the best it’s ever been. It’s small compared to Liverpool or Manchester, so you can easily get between pubs. You’re not paying daft prices, and you get a more personal touch because staff turnover isn’t as high. It’s great to be part of that.”
Back in 2016, nobody could have predicted what the future held for Gary and the Guild Ale House, but through care, commitment and support, the pub has become more than just a city-centre venue – it’s a true local.
“Sometimes I wish I could switch off and go away for a bit,” laughs Gary as our chat comes to an end. “But being part of this, helping people enjoy themselves, it’s become a way of life. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
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