I first went in there when I was about 6 years old and we went in there regularly when we got promoted but when they got taken over the service, I'm sure they were trying their best, wasn't as good as before so we've been going to Delilahs this season. Only been to The Gardeners once this season, before a Europa home game, can't remember which one. http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/story-14229079-detail/story.html? MUSIC and football are helping to revive the fortunes of a traditional haunt for Stoke City fans. The Gardener's Retreat, in Boothen Green, reopened its doors after a £100,000 refurbishment. And the new licensees, Trudi Turner and Ian McIntosh are now utilising its traditional links to Stoke City, as the venue is one of the closest pubs to the Britannia Stadium. They also want to revisit the pub's former glories as one of the city's premier venues for live music as part of the bid to drum up new trade and keep the traditional regulars happy. The Marston's pub is split into two halves. There is the bar area, which has been renamed the Boothen End, decorated in Potters regalia and traditionally used for a pre-match drink by supporters. Meanwhile, the previously unused lounge will now play host to live music. Trudi, aged 38, said: "The brewery spent a good £100,000 giving it a good clean-up, which it needed. "We opened on December 7 and it has been very busy. "We had our first home game at the Britannia just four days after we took over. By 1.30pm, I thought it wasn't too bad, but then it was six-deep at the bar before it was time for people to go to the game. "But the customers had asked us to put in extra taps and staff and the brewery have done everything they asked." Trudi also believes the big screen television, snooker table and stage in the lounge will attract customers. She said: "We've had lots of bands coming in and asking us about music, because it used to be the place to come for live music. "From January we are going to get booked up with bands and we are hoping to get an open mic night. "The pub used to be very male dominated, but since we have reopened we are getting more women in." Trudi's partner, Ian, aged 34, said: "It's been a baptism of fire taking over in December, but it has been brilliant. "I used to come here in 2000, when I started watching Stoke. "We've used social media like Facebook, Twitter and the Stoke City fans forum, The Oatcake, to ask the supporters what they want from us." The pub, which employs five members of staff, is offering free parking on match days. And although generally no food is served at the venue, when Stoke City are playing at the Britannia Stadium caterers from Clarkeys Premier Oatcakes will be providing the snack of choice for any discerning Stoke fan. Dave Grocott, aged 59, of Boothen, who has been a regular for 30 years, said: "They have done the pub up without spoiling it. It's not changed much over the years, it's still got its character, and some of the characters who drink in it." William Grocott, no relation, aged 80, of Boothen, said: "It's very nice. I used to deliver bread and milk here in 1939." And Maxine Banks, aged 44, of Boothen, said: "It's lovely. They have done a good job. "The bar is a proper men's bar, but they have done the lounge up now and it is good for families." Paul Rowley, aged 46, of Stoke, said: "It's nice to get some live music and to get some local bands back in. I've been coming here for 25 years."
