A ST Helens drinking spot has been voted as one of the top 16 pubs in the country by CAMRA members.
The Turks Head has progressed in the Pub of the Year competition, run by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), to be crowned Merseyside and Cheshire Regional Champions.
They were up against The Castle in Macclesfield, which was voted the best CAMRA pub in Cheshire, but the Turks Head, on Cooper Street, St Helens came out on top in judging.
The Turks will now go forward to the ‘Super Regional’ competition – up against the winners in the East Midlands, Wales and Yorkshire.
If they win that award they then qualify for the finals of National Pub of the Year.
'Support is phenomenal'
Daryl Arrowsmith, landlord at the Turks Head, said: “I was so happy to win the branch award, then to win it for Merseyside, but to have gone even further to win the regional award is something else.
“All the staff at the Turks have worked really hard to get us this far and the support we’ve had from our customers and from the local CAMRA branch is phenomenal, so thank you to everyone who’s had a hand in getting us this far.
"Here’s hoping we can go one step further."
It’s the sixth time in a decade that St Helens and Districts CAMRA branch has had pubs in the top 16, with The Cricketers Arms receiving the accolade five times, including 2017 when they went on to win CAMRA National Pub of the Year.
The branch is delighted with the news.
'Real ale scene is thriving'
Gillian Yates, chair of St Helens and Districts CAMRA, said: “I’m so proud to be chair of this branch at a time where the real ale scene is thriving, and pubs are working together to make St Helens and the surrounding districts a real place to come and enjoy a great pint and a friendly welcome.”
Meanwhile, Nick Bosley, regional girector for Cheshire and Merseyside CAMRA said: "Well done to the Turks Head on this award.
"It’s great to see St Helens with such a flourishing real ale scene. I wish the Turks Head all the best for the super-regional competition."
The award presentation for Merseyside and Cheshire Regional Pub of the Year will take place at The Turks Head on Saturday, October 7 at 3pm
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