Cheers to The Millhouse – St Helens’ Best Pub 2023

Just 12 months after taking over at the pumps at The Millhouse on Mill Lane the couple can say they own St Helens’ Best Pub 2023 and they’ll be raising a glass with customers this weekend to celebrate.

Each week, we will be searching for the best St Helens has to offer in different categories and we’ve given out 22 awards for 2023.

The winners so far:

Best for Hair – Hair by Alice Michelle

Best for Pies – Blackburn’s

Best for Nails – Kreative Kirsty

Best for Roast Dinner – The Brown Edge Pub

Best for Cocktails – The Townhouse

Best for Breakfast – Shakey J’s

Best for Fitness – Ashley-James Ward

Best for Fish and Chips – Paul’s Fishbar

Best for Tattoos – White Rabbit Tattoo Studio

Best for Pizza – Dial-A-Pizza

Best for Pets – The Dog House

Best Independent Shop or Business – Stone Tyres

Best for Dessert – Antonia’s Cakes

Best for Beauty – Chantel Louise

Best for Kids – Jo Jingles Warrington, St Helens and Wigan

Best Gym – Ruskin Fitness Club

Best Beer Garden – The Dam

Best for Afternoon Tea - Nirvana Coffee Shop

Best for Burgers – Shakey J’s

Best Café or Coffee Shop – Nirvana Coffee Shop

Best for Curry – Balti Spice

Voting for St Helens’ Best Restaurant is currently taking place – vote here

Next on the menu was the search for St Helens’ Best Pub or Bar and The Millhouse took the latest Best of 2023 crown.

Nic and Aidan and members of Parkdale Under 11s outside the pub on Mill Lane

Aidan and Nic took over at The Millhouse just over a year ago in May 2022.

The couple, who both grew up in Fingerpost, wanted to run a family-orientated great British pub in the heart of Sutton keeping local people at its heart.

Nic, who is 33, said: “We are a typical pub providing draft beers, spirits, cocktails and soft drinks and we have a great menu to suit all tastes and appetites.

"We accommodate customers of all ages.

“We have live music every Friday and Saturday night and the odd Sunday too and we host festivals and parties – Halloween, Christmas and Easter – as well as sponsoring two great football teams.

“We even held our first wedding breakfast earlier this month which was an experience to be proud of.”

Aidan has owned and run milkshake shops around St Helens for many years and Nic worked in finance before becoming a college lecturer.

Nic and Aidan knew that taking on the Mill Lane venue would be a challenge and a risky one at that but they were determined to make it a success.

Aidan, who is 31, said: “It was a risky challenge due to the reputation at the time but we quickly turned that around and hopefully we’ve managed to win the hearts of regulars and locals.

“This was something we both had no experience in whatsoever but we recognised what was lacking and what was needed and ran with it.

“There was a need for family entertainment so we bear this in mind when scheduling our events calendar.

“Having children ourselves, we always found it quite difficult to enjoy going to the pub so we had a clear vision to make ours different from the rest.

“We cater for our events with children in mind and we host family friendly entertainment, scheduling parties to suit the season and allow children to attend these events.

“We love hearing children have a good time with us.”

The Millhouse on Mill Lane

But what do customers think about The Millhouse? Why did they think the venue should win our latest Best of 2023 award?

We were swamped with nominations for this popular venue with customers praising the fun family-friendly pub with “awesome Sunday roasts”.

One regular said: “The new owners have turned this pub around and made it a fantastic environment for families.”

Nic said: “The Millhouse is like no other.

“We are welcoming, friendly and all our customers talk to each other.

“We feel we have created a great space for customers to relax and to enjoy the entertainment.

“We love meeting new customers, who visit us after recommendations from friends and family and then become regulars.

“We enjoy seeing the environment that we have created for adults as well as children.

“When you enjoy the work, it no longer becomes a job.”

Customers love the live events at The Millhouse

Nic and Aidan were “over the moon” to hear they’d made the shortlist for St Helens’ Best Pub or Bar 2023 and they felt that all their hard work over the past 12 months had been worth it.

Nic said: “We knew we were up against some great pubs and bars in the shortlist.

“To be told that we’d won the award, after only being in the industry for a year, is amazing.

“Our hard work and dedication has been noticed and rewarded, which is a great feeling.

“To our family and friends and customers who have become friends, we are grateful for your returning custom and all your love and support.

“Your loyalty means everything to us - even the four-legged customers!

“This award is for all of you.”

For more details go to facebook.com/millhousewa9

Sports fans enjoy watching the match at the award-winning venue