TURNING a pub around after a sticky spell is no easy task.

Throw in the pandemic and the future for The Vine Tavern in Thatto Heath might have been bleak until new manager Kieran Lee stepped in.

In just a few weeks Kieran has begun a refurbishment of the pub while making sure to retain its no nonsense combination of televised sport and free pool.

“After a couple of rough years for the pub my company have recently taken over and are trying our absolute best to turn the pub around,” said Jamie Taylor, of new owners R&B Pub Company. “We have given it a refresh inside and we have an excellent manager in place who is working around the clock to push the pub forward and put it back on the map.”

The pub on Elephant Lane has a long history and was once run in the 60s by former St Helens Recs, Saints and Great Britain rugby league player Frank Bowen.

“We’ve been busy painting and installing new TVs,” said Kieran. “We’ve also got a dartboard in as we’ve not had darts for a while and we want to hopefully start both darts and dominoes teams.

“We’ve also had the pool table recovered because it was in an atrocious condition – it would be great to have a pool team too.

“Everything in the pub felt really outdated and the colours were very dark.”

Getting the locals and regulars onside is always the first task of a new landlord and so far things seem to be going well.

“It has the feel of a real community pub,” said Kieran, who is satisfied the refurbishment is complete apart from a few light fittings. “We’re definitely getting more younger people in at the weekend as well as the regulars and everyone is mixing well.

“We have karaoke on Fridays and Saturdays and all the football matches. It’s a big racing pub so we show all the races too.

“Being a landlord can be tiring but it’s great fun too.”

Vine Tavern, Elephant Lane, Thatto Heath, St Helens WA9 5QG.

Tel: 01744 820376.