A BAR launched to offer a different kind of venue will celebrate its tenth anniversary this year - despite the many challenges it has faced.

With a passion for craft beer and real ale, and growing tired of bars and pubs that offered the same selection of beers, brothers Phil and Daniel Cunliffe decided to go against the grain and launched The Firkin, on High Street in Newton-le-Willows in 2014.

In the ten years that have passed, there has been a mountain of challenges that have faced the Firkin and the wider hospitality sector, including increasing costs on imported beers after Brexit, forced closures and restrictions during the pandemic, and ongoing price rises of the cost of living crisis.

Despite this accumulation of challenges, the Firkin has proudly stood by its principles to offer a wide range of craft beers and real ale over the past decade, with its menu consistently changing to keep things fresh for customers.

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St Helens Star: The Firkin has become popular as an intimate independent venueThe Firkin has become popular as an intimate independent venue (Image: The Firkin)
Speaking to the Star, Phil said: "It has been very difficult [running the bar] over the past ten years, especially from 2020 onwards.

"Things have been tight to say the least; it's almost been a perfect storm of challenges for hospitality after Brexit, Covid, and the cost of living crisis.

"But we are passionate about what we do and it's always been about the quality of beers for us. We keep everything changing all the time, from the beers on draught to the bottles and cans that we order in. 

"We always try to use local and independent breweries where we can, and although we don't get everything right, we're thankful that our customers keep coming in and support us."

St Helens Star: The bar has an interchanging menu of craft beer and real aleThe bar has an interchanging menu of craft beer and real ale (Image: St Helens Star)
Although the Firkin has faced its fair share of challenges in recent years, the intimate venue has become a popular place along Newton's thriving high street and was also named in this year's CAMRA Good Beer Guide.

Describing the bar, one Firkin drinker previously told the Star: "This is the best thing that’s ever happened to the high street. There’s no television, no music, just people coming here to talk to each other; that's how friendships start."

In addition to its changing beer menu, the Firkin also organises a range of events and brewery takeovers to entice customers into the intimate venue.