SEVERAL pubs are looking for a new owner or tenant to take the venues into a new future.
Following the stop-start difficulties of the pandemic, the value of pubs was reaffirmed as many missed the social and community aspect of these venues.
However, in the years that have passed, many landlords and breweries have continued to struggle with rising prices of alcohol, food, and electricity during the cost of living crisis.
Several venues are looking for new owners or tenants on property websites such as Zoopla and Rightmove, while others are on 'Find My Pub' site, which scans thousands of pubs across the country.
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The Running Horses
One of St Helens' most prominent pubs was put back on the market in June.
The Chalon Way venue, which has previously operated as the Chicago Rock and Running Horses, closed as a Wetherspoons in 2021.
The venue then reopened as the Running Horses under the management of Lancashire-firm Green Leisure, but closed down again after a year of trading.
Noting the town centre's £90m regeneration plans that could benefit the venue, estate agents Metis is looking for a new tenant for a term to be agreed. The rateable value of the pub is set at £100,000.
Wheatsheaf
Located on Westfield Street, the Wheatsheaf is a venue on the "late-night circuit" in St Helens town centre, and situated close to several other pubs and clubs.
The venue closed its doors around two years ago due to difficult trading conditions following the pandemic.
The corner property comprises of a main bar area with an external smoking and seating area, as well as private accommodation upstairs.
The estimated minimum ingoing costs are £3,000 and the annual rent is £20,000. More information can be found here.
Queens Arms
Located on Higher Parr Street in Fingerpost, the Queens Arms closed down in July after the previous landlord of 31 years stepped down.
Occupying a prominent corner spot a short distance from St Helens town centre, the Trust Inns pub has been a popular spot and has benefitted from live music and an enclosed courtyard.
The private accommodation comprises an extensive three-bedroom apartment with a kitchen, living area, and bathroom.
Ingoing costs is set at £3,000 and annual rent at £14,000. More information can be found here.
The Old Crow
Located on Crow Lane East in Newton-le-Willows, The Old Crow has a main trading bar as well as a games room with two pool tables.
There is also a paved beer garden as well as live sports and entertainment organised at the pub, with a two-bedroom flat located upstairs.
The estimated minimum ingoing costs are £10,208 and the annual rent is £20,500. More information can be found here.
The Millstone
Plans to renovate the Millstone pub have been ongoing for a number of years after the Mill Lane pub closed in Newton-le-Willows in 2020.
A £450,000 renovation project for the pub was resubmitted and approved by the council in November 2023, although the pub's brewery, Star Pubs & Bar, is still looking for a landlord to take it forward.
Post-refurbishment, the venue is set to offer an extended bar and dining area, a cafe-style outdoor seating area and heated patio, as well as a four-bedroom flat above the pub.
The estimated minimum ingoing costs are £101,578 and the annual rent is £70,000. More information can be found here.
Kingdom
Kingdom - which had previously operated as the Circus, Punch Tarmey's, and Zoo Bar - underwent a bright makeover under a new operator last year.
The two-storey building became Westfield Street’s newest nightspot but it was closed abruptly and boarded up in January.
Listed by estate agents Fleurets, and stating it may be suited for alternative use, the venue is for sale for £350,000.
The Holt
Sitting on the corner of a busy junction opposite the Whiston Hospital, the Holt is a traditional boozer that has two main trading areas with a bar in the middle.
Traditionally, one side is for serving pub grub, and the other was for your pub games such as pool, darts and sports.
Live entertainment has been a popular feature of the Holt, as is the beer garden. The private accommodation offers three bedrooms, a kitchen, and a lounge.
Ingoing costs are set at £5,250 with an annual rent of £19,500. More information can be found here.
Bird I'th Hand
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".
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.
Estate agents Fleurets has not yet confirmed what type of bid had been accepted since the Star reported that the pub had been sold "subject to contract", but the Bird's Facebook page has confirmed that the venue has been bought by another pub company.
The Ship Inn
![The Ship Inn on Blackbrook Road]()
The Ship Inn on Blackbrook Road (Image: Fleurets)
A popular drinking den for decades, the closure of the Ship Inn on Blackbrook Road gutted residents and regulars in October 2023.
As the pub was facing financial difficulties, Greene King put the business up for sale last summer, but as no bids came in, the independent operator handed the lease back to the brewery and the pub has been boarded up ever since.
With a central bar, informal dining space, games area, catering kitchen, beer cellar, office, patio, and upstairs accommodation, the two-storey building was put up for sale for £250,000 and has since been sold.
Detroits
The former Detroits Soul & Motown Bar, on Duke Street, is also up for sale.
The unit has been listed on property website Rightmove by estate agents Sidney Phillips.
The bar is available for a price of £195,000.
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