Two decades of serving drinks and good vibes in the heart of St Helens

It’s a friendly, welcoming venue serving drinks to people of all ages day and night and employs local people working behind the bar.

Here, in our latest Food and Drink feature, manager Michael tells us how owner John Arnold bought the premises hoping to turn it into a modern meeting place after spotting a gap in the market.

If you would like to appear in one of our food and drink features or as Business of the Week, email heidi.summerfield@newsquest.co.uk

Ice Bar Cafe Ice Bar Cafe on Ormskirk Street in St Helens

What’s the name of the business?

Ice Bar Cafe

58 Ormskirk Street,

St Helens,

WA10 2TF,

Are you the owner or manager?

I am the manager

When did the business open?

It opened in August 2001.

Has it always been in the same location?

It’s always been in same location.

The venue has been open for more than 20 years

Where are you from? Are you local to the area?

I’m from St Helens born and bred.

Tell me a bit about the business

The Ice Bar is a family owned and managed bar / public house, serving alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks to customers for the last 23 years. It’s always been under the same ownership and management and we employ as many local people as possible. We cater throughout the day for everyone’s sporting needs, as we have every sports channel available and are known as the place to be if you have a particular interest in horse racing. Over the years, we have become a place where many retirees enjoy spending their days in a friendly, affordable atmosphere, while having a pint and a bet. Then, the weekends are all change as at 8pm every Friday, Saturday and Sunday we have live karaoke and we are known as the place to be for anyone that enjoys a sing song.

Why did you open the business?

We opened the Ice Bar as, at the time of opening, St Helens had very little to offer people who liked to socialise in a modern environment. The town was mostly occupied by older style pubs and we wanted to create a modern drinking space where people could enjoy a drink.

Why this type of business?

John Arnold, the owner, started business as a wholesale fish merchant and was the biggest fresh and frozen sea food supplier in the north west. John is now retired from the industry and he bought the Ice Bar. He purchased it as The Bear’s Paw chippy from one of his customers with the idea of changing it into a modern drinking venue.

How did the Covid-19 pandemic affect your business?

We survived the Covid pandemic by altering our business and opening up the kitchen serving takeaway meals to customers. We also survived the smoking ban which closed lots of places down.

The Ice Bar team