The Stanley Arms, Eccleston, St Helens

Dec 9 2006 by Mike Chapple, Liverpool Daily Post

But, with an eye for potential that many Liverpudlians have when they take over a run-down rural hostelry, he wasted no time in completely renovating the 19th-century building which was purpose-built as a pub for the Lord's field workers. It was all done in the best possible taste, the pub retaining its cosy character without too compromise to the modern age.
 
The last great work was the addition of the Joseph Pickavance Suite, named after the late director of St Helens Rugby League Club, who was in fact Kath's dad.

This could have been an architectural disaster that would have turned the hair of some Camra purists white with fright over night. Instead, it's a bright and airy glass atrium with pleasant views across the surrounding fields. It was primarily designed for diners allowing the suppers next door to get on with the business of well, er, supping.
 
This is exactly what the Old Man and yours truly did- he with his classic Brown Mixed (courtesy of a sturdy bottle of Manns), me with a perfect pint of cask Bass - while taking in the scenery.
 
Besides the main bar room with its lovely "real" fire and walls adorned with nicknacks - "the wife collects all sorts of crap," laughed a wry Bri - there is another main dining room which is divided from the bar by an intimate space in between.
 
"We call that the lovers' room because this is an out-of-the-way place and we get people coming here who shouldn't be here if you know what I mean," said Brian in a nudge-nudge, wink-wink, kinda way.
 
We in contrast knew that this was precisely the place to be - and resolved to get lost there again some time in the very near future.