A POPULAR pub on the edge of St Helens town centre is launching an in-house pizza kitchen later this month.
From Wednesday, March 15, The Cricketers Arms on Peter Street will open its much-anticipated 'Taverns Pizza Kitchen' to hungry customers.
Winning the CAMRA National Pub of the Year Award in 2017, the Cricketers has continued to develop its reputation by offering a wide selection of real ales and fresh food, as well as building an in-house microbrewery and a garden bar with sports screens.
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Adapting to the shifting circumstances during the pandemic, the Cricks opened a makeshift kitchen and their small selection of fresh food and pies proved a hit with customers.
After working on a pizza-cooking consultancy course, the ever-evolving boozer is almost ready to offer their new menu of pizzas cooked fresh from scratch.
The Taverns Pizza Kitchen will open from 4-8pm on Wednesdays until Sundays, and the Cricks will have a number of popular deep-pan and thin-and-crispy options available, as well as a range of toppings and gluten-free options.
Speaking to the Star in early February, Cricketers owner Andy Evans said that despite the difficulties of pandemic and the cost of living crisis, the pub has been busier than ever.
Andy said: "Covid was an absolute nightmare with the amount of stock we lost and the changing restrictions, although we did manage the best we could with our outdoor seating.
"We started a makeshift kitchen to keep open alongside the restrictions, and we've tried to continue developing the pub with the pizza kitchen coming in March.
"It's things like this, as well as our beer options and Cricks Fest, that help us propel the pub forward.
"Our electricity bills have doubled since the cost of living crisis started [...] but we're actually busier than ever and we have just had a record-breaking January.
"I don't know if this is people still just wanting to get out after covid or they're coming to us to keep their heating bills down, but long may it continue. Because it really would be worrying if we weren't getting the people in."
The annual Cricks Fest which samples award-winning ales is another way to boost sales in the pub, which is planned for a return in April.
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