Couple behind much-loved Ellesmere Port micropub stepping down
"The decision to pass Bondies on has not been an easy one - and has not been taken lightly"
Dave and Cath Thomas from Bondies Bar in Ellesmere Port(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
The couple behind an award-winning Ellesmere Port micropub say they've had to make the difficult decision to step down after five years behind the bar. Dave and Cath Thomas, who opened Bondies Bar in Whitby back in 2021 announced last night that they are passing the ownership of the venue on.
The owners of the Hopimist microbar in Bebington will be taking over the reins. Dave says that due to health reasons and wanting to spend more time as a family, the time has come to step aside.
Bondies has become a much-loved part of the community since it first opened its doors and has raised thousands of pounds for charity. It's also scooped numerous honours including being named 'Cheshire's best micropub' at the Taste Cheshire Food and Drink Awards 2024.
In an emotional post issued on the venue's Facebook page, Dave said: "On behalf of myself, Cath and family, we would like to say a big thank you to everyone that has supported Bondies that is now in its fifth year of opening. The time has come to pass the ownership of Bondies on.
"We set out over seven years ago with a vision and a plan to give the people of Ellesmere Port something different from the 'norm'. A bar that does not have a line up of mass produced beers that you find in any chain led pubs.
"We instead opted to stock quality locally produced beers and top quality international beers that you would have to travel outside of Ellesmere Port to find. We also wanted a place that was in the community for the community.
Cath and Dave Thomas receive the award given to Bondies Bar for best micropub in Cheshire
"A place where people would feel safe and that everyone would feel welcome. A place where friendships could blossom. A place that when you walked through the door felt like you could be sitting in a bar anywhere in Europe. A place with outstanding customer service. A place (pardon the pun) where everyone knows your name.
"Well, we think we have smashed that!! The place is firmly in the community. We have supported local businesses. Raised over ten thousand pounds for local charities. Everyone that visits Bondies cannot believe what a lovely friendly welcoming place it is. Long lasting friendships have been formed.
"We have also won a lot of awards and accolades in the time we have been open. Who would ever have thought five years ago a small bar in Ellesmere Port would have been voted Cheshire's best Micropub? Or continually in the prestigious CAMRA Good Beer Guide and short listed for the CAMRA Chester and surrounding area pub of the year?
"While all the awards and accolades are nice and shows all the hard work and dedication we have put into the place has been recognised, none of this would have been possible without you and your continued support. We have an amazing bunch of regulars, that have supported everything we have done.
Bondies Bar, Ellesmere Port(Image: Google Street View)
"The decision to pass Bondies on has not been an easy one and has not been taken lightly, as Bondies means so much to us and you. We have put that much hard work and effort into making Bondies what it is today. We have had many sleepless nights and many tears have been shed during this process.
"But unfortunately I can no longer carry on for much longer. I have already had two hip replacements at a young age and need to protect them now. Also I have another operation next month regarding my knee. With all this in mind and with the lease also up for renewal this year, we felt we could not commit to another five years.
"Also, our family life has changed. We feel the time is right to have a bit more us time, and more time socialising as a family and looking after our three dogs! So we have decided it would be better to pass on the bar as a going concern.
"We could have at this point put the bar on the market and let every, man and his dog look at taking over the bar. But did not want to go down that route. Instead we approached a couple of small independent family run micropub businesses that are similar to Bondies and also had a good reputation to see if they would be interested.
The team at Bondies Bar in Ellesmere Port receive their certificate from CAMRA after once again making the Good Beer Guide(Image: Bondies Bar)
"We then met with Steve and Adele who run the Hoptimist in Bebington. They are a lovely, very friendly, approachable, easy going couple, and we knew from that point they would be a good fit for Bondies. There is not going to be any major changes to Bondies from what it is today.
"So we will now pass the Bondies baton on to Steve and Adele to carry on the good work. Myself and Cath would like to take this opportunity to personally wish you both all the very best for the future and hope that Bondies gives you the same satisfaction and enjoyment it has given us."