Landlady wins award after taking over the Market Tavern in St Helens

As reported by the Star earlier this year, the Market Tavern seemed to be bucking the usual January lull as it was packed out for its Wednesday afternoon singer.

It was a typical mid-week afternoon for the Bridge Street boozer, landlady Michele Cooney told me, who has developed a trusted relationship with regulars since taking over the pub last April.

Initially, Michele admitted she was apprehensive about the move to St Helens as she had never left her Ellesmere Port hometown for any prolonged period of time, but she has now been recognised with an award from brewery Amber Taverns for her successful time at the helm.

READ > One of St Helens town centre's biggest pubs closes its doors

Michele and bar staff at the Market Tavern (Image: St Helens Star)
Speaking about the award and the business, Michele said: "I didn't know anything about the award to be honest, but my area manager put me forward because she knows how much hard work I've put in at the pub.

"It's great to receive the award and things have just been getting busier and busier here, especially after the Star article, with people coming in from all over the north west.

"I even had to help the door staff and turn people away on Paddy's Day because it was so busy."

The Bridge Street boozer is often packed for its mid-week entertainment (Image: St Helens Star)
At a time when the pub industry has been hit hard following the pandemic and cost of living crisis, with the Running Horses, Clock Face Hotel, and the Ship Inn all closing down in St Helens, it is refreshing to see a pub doing so well in the town centre.

Michele said that the pub's mid-week and weekend entertainment help to bring a crowd in, and there is a particular buzz about the place when fans are preparing for Saints games.

The landlady has also been sprucing up the pub's beer garden and planning future entertainment to continue the venue's success, and she expressed her gratitude to the customers and regulars who have helped to create a warm, welcoming, and thriving pub.

Michele hopes the pub's beer garden will be a big hit this summer (Image: St)
Michelle, 43, added: "I've always wanted to make sure that the pub is a safe space so I'm really glad that there has never really been any trouble here.

"Everyone gets on and talks to one another and it is like one big family here. If there are any concerns we act on them straight away.

"We have regulars who come in all the time and after they sussed me out, they have been so supportive and it feels like because I look after them, they look after me." 

The Market Tavern, on Bridge Street (Image: St Helens Star)