With the World Cup heating up, a group of former footballers have stepped in to save a beloved Birmingham bar from closure.
Bar32, which officially reopened on Monday, June 15, is a vibrant new sports bar dedicated to revitalizing Bartley Green Football Club and its community spirit.
All five investors are local Brummies, with three being former professional players—most notably, ex-West Brom manager Jimmy Shan. Shan, who served as caretaker manager for the Baggies in 2019, now leads Aston Villa’s Under-21 team and plans to leverage his football connections to bring special guest appearances to the bar.
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Joining Shan is another familiar face, Jamie Smith, a former Wolves defender and brief caretaker manager of Port Vale in January.
After nearly facing closure, Bar32 and its associated social club are in steady hands. The group of friends behind the rescue have deep roots in Bartley Green and a genuine commitment to securing the venue’s future.
While Bartley Green currently lacks a football team, Shan is confident the club will rise again. “I’m one thousand percent sure we’ll bring Bartley Green FC back to the pitch,” he told BirminghamLive.
Shan explained the group’s vision for the bar: “This place used to be packed with members and football fans. Now, it was on the brink of going under. We don’t expect to make vast profits, but we want to create a safe, welcoming spot for people to watch sport and socialise with family.”
He added, “We want the community to feel proud of this place—a local venue where folks don’t feel the need to jump in a taxi elsewhere for a drink. We want Bar32 to be a friendly environment where everyone can relax and have fun.”
Using his extensive football network, Shan will arrange event nights featuring current stars and legends alike, promising a diverse line-up beyond just Aston Villa affiliations.
Although no team currently represents Bartley Green, Shan envisions restoring the football club under their ownership. Situated close to Newman University, Bar32 hopes to foster a team that carries the Bartley Green FC banner once more.
“Even though I haven’t lived here in 18 years, all my friends are still in Bartley Green,” Shan said. “This bar is the hub I grew up with, and I want to create a welcoming space where my family and the community can come together.”
Bar32 is located at 85 Jiggins Lane, Bartley Green, Birmingham B32 3LD.