New American-themed bar on the way for St Helens town centre

The former Punch Tarmey's venue on Westfield Street, which had a brief spell as Kingdom last year, will be given a new lease of life.

Owner Andrew Mikhail, who has various venues across Liverpool, St Helens and Southport, is planning to create an American-themed "dive bar", an old-style drinking establishment with relatively inexpensive drinks, pool, darts and TV screens.

It will aim to mirror the success of Mikhail Hotel & Leisure group's Top Gun-themed Mavericks bar in Southport.

However, there is also a link through its name to a St Helens bar of yesteryear.

Pub bosses say it will be called 'Buzzbys' in a nod to the former Buzby's bar from Bridge Street, St Helens, which ran through the 90s and 2000s.

There will be a twist to the new bar too, with the first floor set to include four lanes of interactive darts.

Mr Mikhail said: "We have a sister bar in Southport called 'Mavericks' - same prices and style of bar which is proving to be highly successful.

"St Helens already has a proud selection of superstar players in the PDC and massive darts community so we’re expecting it to do well.

"There will also be two pool tables in the venue.

"We will be showing all horse racing, live music & entertainment and Sky Sports with all the football, rugby and sporting events shown."

The venue was formerly Punch Tarmey's (Image: Punch Tarmey's) The bar could open in a fortnight once its licensing process and renovation works are complete.

The premises had been rented to tenants in recent years - opening as Circus and latterly Kingdom - and then listed for sale earlier this year, but after the success of Mavericks in Southport, the owners hope launching a sister bar will be a success.

Live music and ticketed events are expected to be staged there, with social media accounts due to launch soon to promote them.

One of the key aims of the venue will be to keep prices low, with the cost of a pint starting from £1.99, shorts from £2.50 and cocktails from £6.  There will also be a choice of cask ales from £2.50.

The bar at Mavericks in Southport (Mavericks - Facebook)

Mr Mikhail says an experienced manager has been appointed to take on running the bar.

The opening will aim to add renewed impetus to St Helens' nightlife scene, which has struggled to bounce back from the Covid pandemic.

As reported the Tipsy Tap opened on Ormskirk Street last week and there is believed to be interest in a number of empty leisure properties in St Helens.

Entrepreneurs have told the Star that impending regeneration works in St Helens - which is set to see a £90m investment - are creating a more positive outlook for investors about the town centre's future.

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