AN ex-firefighter has put the spark back into a Worcester pub and the place is looking at its spooky, spectacular best thanks to 'probably the best Halloween decorations in the city'.
The Worcester Arms in London Road in Worcester may just have the greatest Halloween decorations in any city pub - but attention to detail is what former firefighter Tim Perks does best.
The 53-year-old may have given up putting out fires for the time being but he certainly has some smoking hot ideas for his pub.
With close friends and colleagues, he has worked hard to transform the pub inside and out.
While the thrilling and ghoulish Halloween twist may provide a chill down the spine (and for some a ghostly chuckle), there is warmth and friendship to be found within.
The decorations will set the mood for the pub's Halloween Party on Saturday, October 28 which starts at 7pm, and features a live performance from Terry Walls and prizes for Halloween fancy dress.
The pub, which is a free house, is unrecognisable from its days as the Sebright Arms thanks to extensive renovations which have made for a striking metamorphosis.
Mr Perks says one of the measures of the success the team has enjoyed is that women feel comfortable drinking in the pub on their own.
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Mr Perks took over the pub on December 1, 2018 and, since then, it has been not only redecorated but also modified in some highly innovative ways.
Perhaps the most striking example is the pub car park which has now been transformed into a large beer garden complete with three TVs - two 64 inch and one 80 inch screen, used exclusively to show rugby.
It was a way of fighting back against the Covid-19 pandemic - and it has remained a popular feature of the pub ever since.
The beer garden sits around 280 people and even has a flood-lit stage for entertainment - Mr Perks was a volunteer at the Swan Theatre and, what is any pub, you may ask, without a touch of drama and mood lighting to show it at its best?
As a former firefighter, Mr Perks has seen first-hand the devastation caused by drink driving and does not see why a pub would need a large car park. He was in the fire service for 30 years.
"Drinking and driving doesn't work - and that is based on my experience as a firefighter and the things I have seen," he said.
The Worcester Arms has shown - and will continue to show - games from the Rugby World Cup on the three large screens.
"We are a rugby pub," said Mr Perks, himself a self-described 'egg-chaser' at school.
The outdoor area also features a stage built by Mr Perks, Paul Bradley and Mark Rose. The pub's kitchen has been renovated and now the team at the pub is looking to hire a pizza chef.
Those who are interested just need to write to the pub at 158 London Road (WR5 2EJ) with a CV and a covering letter.
People can even order a Chinese next door at Chung Ying Chinese takeaway and eat their meal at the Worcester Arms.
All you do is order the food at the takeaway, relax in the pub while the Chung Ying kitchen prepares the meal then ask bar staff at the Worcester Arms about plates and cutlery - then Chung Ying will deliver the food to the pub.
"It's two businesses working together. We thought 'why not?' All it costs me is a dishwasher tablet," said Mr Perks.
Beers on offer include Guinness, Wye Valley, HPA and Ludlow with a range of white and red wines available by the glass or the bottle.
Mr Perks said his aim had been to create a welcoming and community-focused pub. The pub is known for its flags including the Union flags outside.
"If I can put a smile on people's faces, that's what this place is all about," said Mr Perks. "It's hard work but if you're enjoying it, it certainly doesn't feel like it," he added.
Mr Perks described himself as a 'proud Brit' and the flags reflect that. The pub is also lit up at the front in various colours, including red to mark the death of the Queen last September. At Christmas multi-coloured lights will be used to bring festive cheer.
Mr Perks became a retained firefighter for Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service in 1989 and, in 1995, became a full-time firefighter for the West Midlands Fire Service.
"I loved every minute of it. I'm proud of being a firefighter. From the time we arrive at a job, everything gets better - and that's the aim of every single person who works for the fire brigade," he said.
Also providing a warm welcome at the pub are the dogs - Tilly, a Cocker Spaniel cross, and Dougal, a Collie cross.
His wife, Rachel Perks, is the head of New College in Worcester (Principal and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead). Tilly is going to be a dog at the blind college so so can help people there who might have anxiety.
Rachel Robinson, the bar manager at The Worcester Arms, provides a warm and friendly presence in the pub.
"She is lovely and she talks to anybody. She listens to anyone and she always has a smile," said Mr Perks.
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