STAR readers have been sharing with us their favourite places to go for a cup coffee.
Whether you like a flat white, Americano, or a cold iced coffee, there are so many venues to enjoy across the borough.
From coffee shops, to cafes, garden centres and churches - there's no shortage of choice, as Star readers pointed out when we asked them "Where is your favourite place to go for a coffee in St Helens".
Here is a selection of some of the answers that Star readers shared with us, as we look to support businesses at the start of the year.
The Coffee House on Church Street
This venue has become a firm favourite with plenty of Sintelliners since it opened on Church Street inside the former Clark's shoe store.
It's a popular stop off point for shoppers, friends and workers in the middle of town.
Among those to pick out this venue was Christine Roylance, who wrote: "The Coffee House, staff are welcoming and friendly, coffees and food are very good and surroundings are nice so overall my absolute favourite coffee shop in St Helens.
Another was Steve Dowd, who wrote: "The Coffee House lovely coffee & always friendly staff."
The Living Well
Willowbrook Hospice's Living Well has a lovely cafe inside, which is reasonably priced and has parking.
By going there, you are also supporting one of the town's best-loved charities.
Alun Owen, Willowbrook's boss, told readers: "Willowbrook, the Living Well on Borough Road - great space, prices and coffee choice.
"We have a great shop too! Support an outstanding local charity."
Little Italy in Rainford
Stu Kilgannon-Parr was among the Star readers to pick out Little Italy in Rainford, which has become a big hit in the village.
With Italian heritage and parents who owned the former Bella Roma in St Helens town centre, Francesco, Valerio, and Fabio Cangemi took a leap of faith to open 'Little Italy' on Ormskirk Road in Rainford earlier this summer.
The restaurant has been a huge success but it has also become a popular place for people to grab a coffee and relax.
Mamma J’s ️Newton-le-Willows
Caroline Hymers praised “a warm and welcoming” place with lovely coffee and food.
The family-run coffee shop on the high street celebrated its first birthday last June.
It is loved by locals and people who work on the high street who drop in for a coffee.
Caroline also picked nearby Newton's Fika Coffee and Home as a place to visit.
The Courtyard
Pauline Dyas picked out this eating and drinking spot on North Road, St Helens.
Mum-of-two Catherine Owens from Windle, had been a drama teacher for 20 years before deciding to take a leap of faith and put in an offer to turn a former newsagents into a café.
It offers a cosy indoor space and a beautiful terrace outside - which have proved a hit with our readers.
Nirvana Coffee Shop
The award-winning venue selling tasty afternoon treats and where customers become friends was another highlighted by plenty of our readers.
Lindsey Pye and her hard-working team at Nirvana Coffee Shop on Lowfield Lane took two titles in the Star's Best of 2023 awards, which celebrated local businesses.
Speaking last year, Lindsey told us said: “We are a friendly place providing a warm welcome within a lovely environment and pleasant surroundings."
Plenty of readers were quick to tell us that it's not just the independent places or chains where they like to go.
A community hub or a church is just as important and often less expensive place to visit.
Yvonne Rigby highlighted Parish church in St Helens town centre, telling us it's a "very cheap and [has a ]lovely friendly atmosphere. Well worth a visit”.
Meanwhile, Victoria Whitehead says the "Mount church cafe at Fingerpost...do lovely coffee/latte/cappuccino/hot chocolates........all as a non profit organisation”.
This is just a selection of the venues mentioned that were picked out by Star readers. Feel like we've missed somewhere that deserves a profile? Email news@sthelensstar.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here