The Bird I'th Hand and The Ship Inn pubs under new management

The Bird I’th Hand, on Prescot Road, and The Ship Inn, Blackbrook, have new managers taking the reins as the boozers get set for a new era.

Peter Boardman, owner of Oak Tree Inns, which runs both pubs, lay out ambitions for the venues as the industry looks to move forward following the “challenges” from the Covid era.

The Ship Inn (Image: Google Streetview)

“For me it is carrying on with the Covid recovery, I think we are still in that,” he said, adding that “staffing” has been another difficulty the industry has faced.

However, with new management teams in charge at both pubs he is optimistic of a brighter new era at the Bird and the Ship.

Luke Carey has taken the helm at the Bird I’th Hand, moving over from The Ship, while the Blackbrook Road boozer has seen new managers Kim and Steve take over.

Peter says they have been able to make some changes, including a reduction in drinks prices.

Peter Boardman is hoping to bring both pubs back to the heart of their communities (Image: St Helens Star)

“We have seen an absolutely massive response from the local communities,” added Peter, whose parents were also in the industry which saw him growing up around pubs since a young age.

“It is their local pubs and they were potentially going to lose them both.

“We have massively reduced the drinks prices and introduced a new food menu at both pubs.

“We are starting to introduce entertainment with a quiz at the Ship on Saturdays, we’re going to have ‘Saturday Night Fever’.

“At the Bird there will be a ‘speed quiz’ using phones on Thursdays and live music on Saturdays.

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The Bird has a team of four staff, in addition to the manager, while the Ship has five workers in addition to management team.

Oak Tree Inns’ portfolio also includes the Oak Tree pub in Newton-le-Willows and the Derby Arms, in Knowsley Village, among others in the north west.

Peter urged locals to turn out and support their pubs.

“Of course, I know people are having a difficult time at the moment. People say ‘you use them or you lose them’,” he said.

“The pub I grew up in in Widnes is now a Go Local. If you lose a pub now they will be turned into something else.

“Do support your local pub.”