The Turks Head in St Helens has made it to the final round of the campaign for real ale's (CAMRA) national pub of the year competition, having previously won the regional title. The team behind the traditional pub said they were "over the moon" to be in the running for the UK's best pub.
Clare Harrison, Turks Head licensee, said: "To say we're over the moon is an understatement. We're incredibly proud to have reached the final four pubs, and to be representing St Helens at this level is honestly a dream come true."
Traditional pub with a modern twist
The Tudor-style pub, dating back to the 1870s and located near the town centre, offers a rotating line-up of 14 hand pulls, a selection of real ciders and a large whisky and gin bar. The upstairs Tower Lounge room hosts live music and events for local community groups, alongside an extensive variety of craft and continental beers.
Harrison added: "But this isn't just an achievement for me - it's an achievement for our amazing team, our wonderful regulars and our incredible local community. Without them, the Turks Head simply wouldn't be what it is today. We're proud to be a proper traditional local pub where everyone is welcome, whether you're a lifelong regular or walking through our doors for the very first time."
Twenty years at the helm
Daryl Arrowsmith, from Wigan, has been at the helm of the venue for the last 20 years. The 50-year-old had "never pulled a pint" before taking over the pub.
Speaking to the ECHO when the pub won the regional round, Arrowsmith said: "I'm immensely proud of the Turks Head and immensely proud of the team that has got us to this position. I'm absolutely made up because it recognises the hard work that I and the team put in to making this one of the top pubs to visit. It's also fantastic for St Helens. It puts St Helens on the map as a great place to go. There are so many really good pubs in St Helens. It's a really good place to just visit for a pub crawl."
He continued: "It is a very traditional local pub, very inviting. It does have its regulars, but it's also an amazing place to visit for the first time. We do a great job of making everyone feel included. It's a safe environment, a friendly environment. It's just a nice place to go for a pint or for a meal. When I bought the Turk's Head, I had never pulled a pint in my life. I just saw an opportunity. I'd seen some pubs where I really liked the template, with the cask ales, continental and craft beers, and we probably, looking back, jumped in a little bit naively and never looked back. Within the first couple of years, we were winning CAMRA awards for our real ale, and it's just got bigger and bigger from there."
Final four contenders
The Turk's Head joins the Countryman's Inn in Hunton, the Cockpit in Chislehurst and the Tamworth Tap in Tamworth to battle it out for the overall crown.
Gill Yates, Director of CAMRA Merseyside and Cheshire, said: "I am thrilled to see The Turks Head reach the final four, and it is all due to the hard work of the dedicated staff and owners. Customers know that a warm welcome awaits in a pub that only has TV's in the bar side, encouraging discussion and relaxation while enjoying the atmosphere, food and excellent drinks range."
