De Beers Paisley: Elise Hendry uncovers the pub’s success

Elise Hendry visits De Beers – one of Renfrewshire’s busiest and most beloved pubs to chat to its longstanding owner Roy Henderson

Tucked away in the heart of Paisley, De Beers is a pub with an alluring and homely atmosphere, where the clink of glasses and friendly chatter mix with a well-loved playlist thrumming through the speakers.

Over the years, De Beers has become more than just a place for a pint. It’s a community hub, a home away from home where the locals know your name and visitors feel instantly welcome.

Opened by Roy Henderson in 2012, De Beers began its story with a leap of faith and a little bit of luck. When the building first went up for sale, Roy decided to take the plunge just after selling his old snack van and put a bid on a property that hadn’t seen any love in over two years. His offer – half of the asking price of £120,000 – was accepted and that was the moment that De Beers was born.

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“For what you could call our success, it’s down to pure luck,” Roy said, and while good fortune certainly played its part, De Beers’ success also comes down to a mix of hard work, authenticity, and genuine community spirit.

From the very start, Roy and his beloved De Beers have thrived on that sense of community. Friends gathered to help get the pub ready for opening night, and locals soon followed, drawn in by the buzz of something new and authentic. 

“All of my friends came in and rallied round,” Roy said. “But don’t get me wrong – we had a good time! I was quite fortunate for that.” 

De Beers, photo by Kat Sloan

De Beers’ authentic aura also stems from its shabby-chic aesthetic. Roy used the leftover money from buying the property to hunt for furniture in antique stores and auctions across the area. Inside, the mismatched collection of pieces creates a warmth and genuineness that make everyone feel at home any day of the week.

“We want people to come into a place where they don’t feel intimidated,” Roy added. “And I think it has worked from day one to now.”

Although Roy isn’t behind the bar as often these days, he still knows that De Beers on a Saturday night buzzes with the same lively, positive and “partylike” energy it’s always had.

If De Beers could have a theme song, Roy said “It would have to be All Star by Smash Mouth. Self-explanatory.” 

A busy evening now feels much like those first eight years, when he was there every night, keeping things running smoothly and sharing a laugh with the regulars. A lot of that atmosphere and positivity can be credited to Roy’s dedicated staff. 

Photo by Kat Sloan

“We have Andy, our bouncer, who I thank for our high level of discipline. People know they can dance on tables all they like but also know when to call it quits.” 

That same strong sense of teamwork and discipline would later prove essential when De Beers, like so many small businesses, faced its toughest challenge during the pandemic.

“Unfortunately, we’re still paying for it financially,” Roy said. “We had very little government support to be honest, and it left me and my staff idle.” 

While Covid presented many challenges for Roy and his team, it also gave them the chance to repaint and refresh the pub in preparation for their customers returning. 

The pandemic also seemed to shift how younger people socialise, as many now prefer to stay closer to home for a night out, partly due to high travel costs and the rowdy behaviour often seen on public transport, creating a new wave of younger regulars right on De Beers’ doorstep. 

“It has absolutely benefited us and other pubs in Paisley, I can’t complain about that.” Roy said. Talking about how De Beers’ clientele has shifted, he laughed, “now, I’m old here!”

Roy Henderson, photo by Kat Sloan

Despite the changes over the years, Roy’s vision for De Beers remains refreshingly simple: keep doing what works. He’s proud of the niche the pub has carved out for itself. De Beers is a welcoming, good-humoured place where people can unwind and feel part of something local. 

“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” he said with a grin, and for De Beers, that philosophy seems to be working perfectly.

As Paisley continues to grow, its café and brunch culture has taken off, with new spots popping up across the town and drawing in a fresh wave of customers looking for daytime social spaces. While that shift might mean more competition for people’s leisure time and spending, Roy sees it as a positive sign of the town’s revival.

“In general, Paisley is on the up,” he said, “We have to stay positive about new businesses because we want to see Paisley thriving!”

The rise in independent businesses – whether coffee shops, restaurants, or pubs like De Beers – shows a community that values local enterprise and authenticity. It’s a reminder that while Paisley evolves, its success depends on people continuing to support the small, homegrown venues that give the town its character. 

De Beers remains a place where stories are shared, friendships are made, and laughter echoes long after closing time. As Paisley continues to grow and evolve, De Beers proves that sometimes the best things in a town aren’t always the newest or flashiest, but the ones that stay true to their roots.

Q&A with Roy Henderson from De Beers

What is your favourite pub in Paisley, beside yourselves? That’s got to be Gantry. Jason (the owner) is one of my pals, we’ve got to support each other!

What is your favourite place to go for a coffee and a natter? Has to be Food Forty-Six across the road. Again, good friends of mine, but the place is great.

What is a hidden gem in Renfrewshire? I would say Enchanted Flowers. Anytime I have to apologise to somebody, I know exactly where to go!

Do you have a favourite building or landmark in Paisley? The Coats Memorial, absolutely. Inside it is just amazing and it’s a good job it was saved, because it would be such a shame to lose something so great.

Any favourite walking trails or scenic routes in the area? During lockdown, my wife and I would walk around the Castlehead area, looking at all these beautiful houses. We also used to walk into Glasgow, in and around Ralston too. So really, just any nice-looking estate, especially at Christmas or Halloween when everyone has their decorations up.

Do you have a favourite local shop or small business? Paisley Gift Cart on the High Street. It’s great, I mean it’s where I get all my Christmas presents. You can buy for the whole family in one go. Also, Gillian Green Fruit and Veg on Moss Street. They supply and deliver our fruit, it’s been amazing to watch them branch out.

De Beers, 59 High Street, Paisley PA1 2AS, 07792 364992, follow on Facebook and Instagram