Customers past and present 'gutted' as Clock Face pub set to close

Built in 1909, the Clock Face pub has brought friends, family, and regulars together for decades along Clock Face Road.

The large pub and restaurant is a place that holds special memories for many Sintelliners, but after a challenging time for the pub industry, it was put up for sale in June 2023. 

The building remains listed on property website Rightmove for an asking price of £695,000, and plans were submitted to convert the building into a special needs school earlier this year.

An artists impression of the special needs school plans (Image: DV Architects)

These plans have not yet been approved by St Helens Council, but the Clock Face team has announced that the pub will close next month, with its final meals to be served tomorrow (Sunday, March 17).

With such a long history in St Helens, the news attracted a huge response from Clock Face customers past and present, particularly as it is the latest large pub to close its doors.

As the pub is set to serve its final meals this weekend, the Star has picked out a handful of reactions to mark the closure.

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The Clock Face pub on Clock Face Road (Image: Rightmove)
Joanne Roberts said: "So sad that the Clock Hotel is closing, have so many happy memories of that place. Going to be a loss to the community as it's been a great place to go with your family, even before the restaurant was introduced.

"The karaoke on the weekends, we all thought we sounded good. Christmas and New Year in there was the best time ever. Summer days sitting in the back yard while your kids ran round and had fun, all good memories and great times."

Mike Hughes said: "Many great memories in the Clock as a young fella, worked behind the bar for a while, had some great nights with some of the best people you could ever meet.

"I don't live in Clock Face any more, but gutted for the community, it will be a sad day when it closes its doors."

Dave Hunt wrote: "I grew up in this place when I was a kid. My grandad used to to run it for years, had some great memories here such a shame. Was in there a couple of months ago not changed a lot."

Karl Walker said: "Absolutely gutted, had a few great times in there, met some fantastic people and bar staff along the way. The food was amazing, myself and my kids will miss the place."

Andrew Williams commented: "It is really sad to hear this about my former local, I spent many years in there and have great memories with the great people of Clock Face."

Tracy Purcer said: "Had some good days, nights and food at the Clock. So sad it’s closing."

Lynn Anders said: "I moved here in 1966 as a 10-year-old. The pub has always been there despite the changes. A kind of nod to the Miners, I will be sad to see it changed. I hope at least the building stays the same. Times, they are a changin'."

Christopher Waine commented: "Such a shame had some great times in the Clock, met some good friends in there."

Jakki O'Hare said: "Absolutely gutted it is by far the best in the area food wise... such a shame another landmark closure."

Trev Hogan wrote: "Had some great times and great memories in the Clock Hotel, such sad news."