Coopers at 100: The Little Pub with a Big Heart and a Century of Stories
Coopers is more than just a pub; it’s a cherished piece of Liverpool’s history, holding its own in a rapidly changing city. Since its beginnings in January 1925, this red-daubed city-centre venue has offered a sanctuary for those seeking connection, entertainment, and a sense of belonging. As it approaches its centenary, Coopers remains a vibrant hub of community spirit, where regulars and newcomers alike gather to share stories, music, and laughter.
But what’s the secret to Coopers’ enduring popularity over the past 100 years? How has it adapted to an ever-evolving Liverpool while staying true to its roots? And what’s in store for its upcoming centenary celebrations?
To find out, we spoke with John Yates, co-owner of The Book in West Derby and now at the helm of Coopers. John shared his insights into the pub’s unique atmosphere, its plans for marking this incredible milestone, and what Ada Cooper herself might think if she could step into her namesake establishment today.
Liverpool Noise: Looking back over the past 100 years, what do you think has been the secret to Coopers’ enduring popularity?
John: I think that there is something intrinsic to the building itself! It’s a small pub, there’s a front room with the bar running down one side and a little snug at the back. You are never far from the person sat or stood next to you. It means that with only a handful of people in Coopers, there is an atmosphere. Add in the bar staff who see everybody come through the front door and know how to make them feel welcome, and you’ve got a space that, literally, brings everyone together.
Liverpool Noise: How has Coopers adapted to stay relevant in an ever-changing city like Liverpool?
John: I think this is a big part of how Coopers remains special. On some levels, the pub hasn’t changed, the bar is in the same place, as are the entrance doors, and you couldn’t move the seating. In many ways it’s the same pub that Ada Cooper took over a century ago. However, it was the first pub to introduce entertainment seven days a week over 30 year ago, and in recent years, we have pushed the social media aspect of the pub and have a lot of interaction and support on Instagram (106,800 followers), Facebook (130,600 followers) and Tik-Tok (278,800 followers), with some of our videos reaching several million views.
Liverpool Noise: Reaching a centenary is an incredible milestone. Can you give us a sneak peek into the plans for the four-day celebration in January?
John: The starting off point for knowing about this centenary is a wooden plaque next to the bar that details Ada Cooper first having her license endorsed on 16 January 1925. To make the centenary we’ll be unveiling a new plaque that we’ve commissioned from local artist Emma Rodgers. We’ll also be celebrating with our own Ada Cooper’s Centenary Ale which Higson’s have brewed for us, a historic Liverpool brewer supporting a historic Liverpool pub! We’ve a couple of surprises and give-aways up our sleeve, and we will culminate with a Pensioners party on Wednesday 22nd January, with games, food and drink for some of our regular pensioners (and regulars!). We’ve a couple of special events as the centenary year progresses too!
Liverpool Noise: Coopers has been described as “the little pub with the big heart.” What role do the staff, entertainers, and regulars play in maintaining that unique atmosphere?
John: They are everything! The staff and the entertainers set the tone, and we are blessed with the team that we have. They “get it”, Coopers is a place where you can leave your troubles at the door and come into a place where you’ll receive a warm welcome. The phrase “I’ve been Coopered” refers to when you pop in for one drink and leave several hours later! It happens because once you’re in, and you feel welcome with a smile on your face, it’s very hard to choose to leave! There is a spirit in the pub that our regulars, and occasional guests, buy in to. Anyone can get up and sing, everybody who does gets a clap, its a safe, warm, welcoming pub.
Liverpool Noise: As Coopers celebrates 100 years, what’s your vision for its future?
John: Marking the centenary of the pub’s landlady in the 1920s reminds all of us that we are just the latest chapter in Cooper’s Townhouse. Our vision, and our mission, is to make sure that we do what we do to the best of our ability and keep the pub going ready for its next chapter. Part of the thinking behind the centenary plaque is that 50 or 100 years from now, the future management will be able to look back and know what we did and how we marked it.
We’ll keep making improvements, we’ll keep developing areas like Social Media and whatever comes in the future, and we’ve got an evening pavement license that we’ll start using this spring. We never settle!
Liverpool Noise: If Ada Cooper could see her pub today, what do you think she would say?
John: We’ve asked ourselves this question so many times over the last couple of months! On the one hand she’d recognise the layout, the bar, the cellar, the doors haven’t moved. I’d love to know what she’d make of the entertainment. So much of life has changed, and indeed so much of Liverpool, Clayton Square didn’t exist in her day, but there must be many enduring similarities of being behind that bar, serving the customers and making everyone welcome. There will have been more suits, more caps and more smoke back then!
Coopers Centenary Celebrations
As part of Coopers Centenary, local artist Emma Rodgers has been commissioned to create a new plaque to go alongside the old one in the venue and look ahead to the next century. It will be unveiled at 3pm on Thursday 16 January by Coopers fan Jonny Bongo, with a surprise guest artist from 4pm.
The weekend of celebrations continues with surprise guest performances embodying the spirit and energy of Coopers on Friday 17 and Saturday 18 at 5.00pm. Then on Tuesday 21, Wasted Heroes are setting up a screen print in the back room for an hour at 3.00pm, with a bespoke design for people to make their own t-shirts in a centenary giveaway. And finally, there’s the Pensioner’s party on Wednesday 22 January.
Follow @cooperstownhouse on Instagram or Facebook for updates.
