The Railway Hotel has prevailed as a 'great meeting place' in Garswood

The pub being described is the Railway Hotel in Garswood; a cornerstone of a community that has experienced the closure of several local venues in recent years.

Following periods of financial difficulties, the Conny Club, Stag Hotel, and Village Club - along with the village library and nursery - have all closed down in recent years, leaving some residents to fear that the village is being left behind and their concerns are falling on deaf ears.

However, despite the challenges facing the area, the Railway has managed to remain a popular meeting hub and a proud community pub for decades.

READ > Social club put on the market after proud 116 year history

Inside the bar at the Railway (Image: Karen Brannagan)
While the Railway is helped by its close proximity to Garswood station, the landlords believe that the pub has prevailed due to their method of keeping things simple, personable, and affordable.

Karen, who took over as landlady of the pub 22 years ago, said: "We've always known what we are here, which is a traditional wet-led pub that is a great meeting point for people.

"Every venue did something different when I first started, so we didn't want to stand on anyone's toes but provide something unique and complement the offer in Garswood."

The pub also has a book swap point, which has been particularly important since the village library closed (Image: Karen Brannagan)
Although Karen admitted that she struggled to attract custom from the busy Stag in her early days at the pub, the landlord's focus on live sports and a revamped beer garden increasingly encouraged more and more people to visit.

And with a small but tight-knit community in Garswood, Karen and Steve believe that the real key to their success has been fostering this community atmosphere and making the pub as friendly and welcoming as possible.

Karen and Donna behind the bar at the Railway (Image: St Helens Star)
Karen, who met her husband Steve at the Railway 38 years ago, said: "Years ago, we used to have a Sunday League football team who would come in after their game, and this certainly created a warm and friendly atmosphere which shaped what the pub would become.

"Now they are bringing their own little families here [...] and a lot of our customers feel comfortable enough to come in on their own and have a chat with people at the bar.

"We've even had people from other areas coming in off the train and saying it's like stepping back in time, because everyone is friendly and chatting to one another."

The Railway team; Steve, Karen, Donna, and Holly (Image: Karen Brannagan)
And while there have been difficulties with covid and the cost of living crisis, Karen and Steve have remained committed to keeping drinks as reasonable as possible at the Railway, as they try to balance rising costs with keeping customers happy and keeping the venue open for the community.

It is getting this balance right that makes the "best pub in the world" comment all the more significant.

Many people believe that their local pub is the best in the world because of its importance in the community, and if the balance is not struck between the landlords, customers, and finances, the consequences can be devastating.