Marston’s, leading local pub group, has introduced Woodie’s—a new family-friendly pub concept aimed at bringing people together and creating memorable moments for all ages.
Marston’s is set to transform a number of its existing pubs into the new Woodie’s concept through full refurbishments. The first to undergo the change is The Skymaster in Warrington, Cheshire, which will reopen as a Woodie’s at the end of July—perfectly timed for the summer holidays.
Each revamped venue will feature dedicated family-friendly zones, including Woodie’s Den—a whimsical, woodland-themed area where children can explore their creativity through games, crafts, and a range of special events like discos, karaoke, and quizzes. These spaces will also be equipped with Marston’s exclusive event system, enabling content to be streamed directly to built-in TVs.
On sunny days, children can make the most of Woodie’s pub gardens, complete with brand-new outdoor play areas where they can run, climb, and explore—while parents unwind, confident their little ones are safe and entertained.
Inside, kids will love the magical Woodie’s Sweet Factory—a self-serve treat station where they can top their desserts using a fun token system. Alongside these family-focused features, Woodie’s pubs will continue to serve up a full menu of beloved pub classics, including Marston’s award-winning children’s menu.
To make dining even more convenient, each Woodie’s location will be equipped with Marston’s recently launched ‘Order & Pay’ app, allowing guests to place orders from their table and enjoy uninterrupted family time.
Alongside its new family-focused features, each Woodie’s pub will continue to offer the warm, welcoming atmosphere Marston’s guests know and love. Zoned bar areas and dedicated adult spaces will provide a relaxed setting for grown-ups to enjoy a quiet drink or meal.
To ensure the Woodie’s experience truly meets the needs of modern families, Marston’s conducted in-depth research into why parents often leave restaurants early. Common frustrations included slow service, overpriced children’s menus, limited healthy options, lack of engaging entertainment, and unhelpful staff.
These insights have shaped every element of the Woodie’s concept—designed to understand and meet the needs of families better than anyone else, creating enjoyable moments for both parents and children alike.
To mark the completion of each transformation, every Woodie’s reopening will be celebrated with a lively, all-day family festival. Guests can enjoy bouncy castles, face painting, storytelling sessions, live music, and a special ribbon-cutting ceremony led by a local community hero.
As part of the celebration, families with babies born in the past 12 months will be invited as VIP guests. Each little one will receive a unique, money-can’t-buy keepsake—a limited-edition Woodie’s onesie.
To further strengthen community ties, Marston’s is launching the ‘Pint For Your Past’ initiative. Local guests will be offered a free pint in exchange for sharing personal stories or memories tied to the pub or local area. These stories will be proudly displayed on a memory wall throughout opening weekend, embedding local voices into the heart of every Woodie’s.
Ed Hancock, Chief Development Officer at Marston’s, said: “We’re really proud to introduce Woodie’s, our new local family pub format, which understands families’ needs better than anyone else.
“Built around real insights and feedback from parents and local guests alike, Woodie’s is all about making pub visits easy and enjoyable for everyone – where kids can be kids and adults can genuinely unwind. We’re sure Woodie’s will delight the whole family and be the backdrop of many get-togethers, celebrations, and special moments in our local communities over this summer and beyond.”
Woodie’s marks the latest exciting addition to Marston’s evolving pub portfolio, following the successful launch of Grandstand earlier this year—an innovative sports-led format designed for local communities. Grandstand features large screens, cutting-edge event technology, and tailored offers to engage and entertain sports fans across the country.
