The team behind Ma Boyles and Novia Scotia reopen Newington Temple after £200k refurbishment

Newington Temple has officially re-opened its doors after an 8-week refurbishment which has seen the historic pub restored to its Victorian glory by Liverpool-based Ma Pub Group.

Set in the bustling Bold Street restaurant district, Newington Temple sits now alongside Ma Boyle’s Alehouse and Eatery, Tempest on Tithebarn and Nova Scotia as its sister sites. 

The £200,000 renovation has seen the layers of history literally being peeled back to reveal original features hidden for decades in a building that has operated as a pub since the mid 1800s. Alongside the restored original features, a paint colour match throughout the pub of a period State Room Green was matched to the original ceiling colour that was revealed when the newer modern dropped ceiling was removed.

Items dating back over one hundred years old found in storage in rooms on the upper floors have also been incorporated into the pub’s decor including the original pub telephone which has been rehung for its throwback decorative charm. 

As well as craft and local beers, cocktails and wines for those wanting a little snack with their drink, Newington Temple boasts a back bar display akin to something which might have been found in an old-fashioned sweet shop, with its Cabinet of Savory Curiosities. Over twenty large glass jars will hold a rotating selection of delicious savoury snacks, including Salt and Pepper Cashews, Mexican Sweet Chilli Peanuts, Teriyaki Mouchi Bites, Wasabi Peas, Chocolate Caramelised Peanuts at £3.50 per portion or a mixed selection of three varieties for £9. Newington Temple will also screen Premier League football and sports on several TVs around the venue.

When researching the pub Iain Hoskins, director of Ma Pub Group, discovered the fascinating building’s origins as a vaudeville performance space and having hosted the debut UK performance of circus performer Tom Thumb in 1844. Managed by circus impresario PT Barnum, Tom Thumb was booked for a week-long engagement in February 1844 at No 8 Newington, where he performed in costumes such a Napoleon and the Greek Gods for the price of 6p entrance fee. As a dedication to No 8 Newington being Tom Thumb’s debut performance on British soil, the lounge area of the pub has now been named the ‘Tom Thumb Lounge’ with also their own brewed lager being named after the legendary diminutive performer. 

Iain Hoskins, Director of Ma Pub Group says:

“It’s been a labour of love over the past couple of months as the building was in quite a bad way. Like with domestic renovations of period buildings, 8 Newington threw up a number of unforeseen surprises and challenges along the way. It reminds me of the work we did with Ma Boyle’s and before that Ma Egerton’s here in the city, both of which had reached the end of the road and the future for them looked bleak prior to the work we did with restoring them and giving them a fresh purpose.

“With Newington Temple, I’m very pleased with what we’ve achieved; the place is stunning, we’ve done justice its rich history and preserved the pub and the building for future generations to enjoy. Digging into Newington’s background, it’s been illuminating understanding what used to go on here, especially the performance side. The pub in its various name changes across the decades has outlived every other business on Bold Street over the last two centuries, so it’s great to see her properly back in business.”

Visit the Newington Temple website here.

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