- Details
- Written by Mel James-Henry
- Category: October 2021
Since lockdown there have been many changes to pubs and breweries and some have not even settled down as yet, with pubs changing their opening hours to suit demand and staff needs, supply issues, changes of ownership and licensing.
One change many will have noticed is the pavement licences granted to pubs in Liverpool by the council to help with social distancing. These are valid until Sept 30th but can be extended for a year free of charge if the pub applies and is granted as having a suitable pavement. The Roscoe Head has taken full advantage of this and had Roscoe St closed off so they can put chairs and tables in the street, as has the nearby Coach House at the Angus (the new name for Dickins & King) who have set up some decking in the street.
Carol, the licensee, was able to purchase the Roscoe from Hawthorn Leisure over lockdown and now can serve beer from any brewer as a ‘free’ house, just in time to be one of 32 pubs nationwide to be awarded a CAMRA Golden award to celebrate 50 years of CAMRA.
Nearby on Hope Street, the Keystone opened in April. This was previously the Clove Hitch & no23 club (and then Bread & Butter). Charlie the new owner is very keen on all things beer, craft and cask, so we can expect to see some unusual and specialist beers on the cask handpumps from the likes of Chapter, Carnival, Black Lodge, Handyman and Neptune. Real cider from Seacider is also on tap. The Keystone takes the members 50p vouchers (which used to be Wetherspoons vouchers but are now valid in many outlets) until 6pm. They also plan to reopen the no23 club.
Over the road the Liverpool Arts school (old Mason’s Hall) has given up on real ale and the nearby Mackenzies on Rodney St has not reopened since lockdown.
On Bold Street, the Crafty Chandler, a Stonegate pub has closed, with lease handed back for other uses. And in Old Swan, the Old Tavern which changed hands recently has stopped serving real ale.
The Ship and Mitre, kitchen has been taken over by ‘the one pan band‘. The name emphasises what the new chef wants to bring in, items that can be cooked in one pan but are also delicious. The new chefs name is Joe and they are now offering pub classics such as fish and chips and scouse along with new concepts such as risotto, mussels and loaded fries. The menu is ever changing. They also have got all of their beers on and back to mostly full capacity on the cask ales (8 on everyday) along with all other local, German and Belgium beers! Claire says its ‘Great to have some normality back again with all the beer on and the customers are loving it.’
On Lark Lane three new cask outlets have opened, the Ink in the Well, Old School House and Bookbinder but be prepared to take the credit card to pay for the pint as
they are expensive. On credit cards several pubs have moved to card payment only, this is not just about covid, but that managing cash is costly, staff time and includes some danger, so can expect more to stop taking cash.
Jaxon’s on Longmoor Lane now have a beer brewed for in collaboration with Twisted Wheel Brewery from Warrington, called Jaxon’s Pale made using Citra and Ekuanot hops, 5.5%. They have also upgraded their outside seating area.
