A LANDMARK boozer has confirmed that its future has been saved after being bought by another pub company.

There had been uncertainty surrounding the Bird I'th Hand when the Prescot Road venue was put up for sale by brewery Greene King, with the listing on property website Rightmove stating the site "may suit alternative use". 

With other large pubs in the town such as the Running Horses, Clock Face Hotel, and Ship Inn having recently closed down or to be closing down, speculation over the Bird's future mounted.

The Prescot Road pub has been a prominent haunt for more than 40 years but had suffered a downturn in custom over recent years, with previous management citing the "challenges" from the Covid era.

The Star understands that multiple bids were submitted to take over the premises, including from a number of independent pub operators with business interests in St Helens looking to take it on as a pub, and others looking to change it into alternative use.

Fleurets estate agents had not yet confirmed what type of bid had been accepted when the Star reported in March that the pub had been sold "subject to contract".

However, the Bird's Facebook page confirmed last night that the venue has been bought by another pub company.

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It states the new owners have expressed their intent to invest in "a significant spend on the inside and outside of the pub" to help give the Bird "a new lease of life".

The pub hailed the "power of the local community" in helping ensure the Bird's survival, as it looks ahead to a new era.

 

In a post on Facebook, the Bird I'th Hand said: "Ladies and Gentlemen,

"It is with absolute pleasure that we can reveal some really exciting news to you all.

"The Bird i’th Hand has indeed been sold… However we have this evening been informed that the winning bidders are *another pub company*.

"We haven’t spoken to them yet, but they have indirectly revealed their intention to implement a scheme of works with a significant spend on the inside and outside of the pub."

It added: "This means that we are safe to say that the Bird will soon get a new lease of life. Hopefully now we can really start to breathe life back into the old girl and show the new (as yet un-named) brewery what they can expect…

"The power of the local community has brought this about, so let’s celebrate this victory and get the Bird back on the map."