PLANS have been submitted to expand and upgrade a popular St Helens boozer.

Tucked away on Peter Street on the edge of St Helens town centre, the Cricketers Arms has become one of the town's most cherished boozers with Andy and Denise Evans at the helm.

The pub was on the verge of being boarded up before the couple and Denise's mother Barbara took it over 11 years ago, and it went on to be named CAMRA''s National Pub of the Year in 2017.

As well as the Cricks' warm and welcoming atmosphere, one of the reasons for its success is that the owners have persistently modernised the venue and diversified its offer.

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St Helens Star: Andy and Denise behind the bar at the CricksAndy and Denise behind the bar at the Cricks (Image: St Helens Star)
Over the years, this has seen a wider selection of real ales being sold at the pub, as well as building an in-house microbrewery and brewing their own beer Howzat.

The pub has also grown to offer an in-house pizza kitchen as well as improving its beer garden and bar area complete with numerous sports screens and Saints memorabilia.

St Helens Star: Inside the award-winning pubInside the award-winning pub (Image: St Helens Star)
Hoping to further build on the Cricks' success, the team has now submitted plans to renovate and utilise its upstairs space. 

This will help expand the Cricks' capacity and will see the current living space turned into a 'Church view eatery and function room', complete with a bar, kitchen, and lounge areas.

The plans, which have been submitted to the council's planning department, could lead to work starting in ten weeks' time and be completed by the end of the year if approved.

St Helens Star: Plans for reutilising the Cricks' first floorPlans for reutilising the Cricks' first floor (Image: The Cricketers Arms)
Further work has also been scheduled at the Cricks, including a "new and improved" beer garden set up as well as work on the gents and ladies toilets.

The outside of the pub will also be painted in a new "country style" colour scheme next week, with the pub planned to close on Monday, April 8 for a new keg line and cellar refit.

Announcing the plans on social media, landlord Andy Evans said: "Thanks for your continued support, very exciting times ahead."