WHO makes St Helens’ best roast dinner, pizza or afternoon tea?
Where is the best place to have your hair or nails done?
Which is the town’s best independent shop?
In April, we launched the St Helens Star Best of 2024 competition to find the best that the area has to offer in 23 different categories.
Each week, readers nominated their favourite cafés, gyms and pubs as well as fish chip shops, beer gardens and fitness instructors and we put together a shortlist of the most popular places announcing an overall winner for each category voted by you, the readers.
The winners have all been featured in the St Helens Star over the past few weeks but as 2024 comes to an end, we decided to take a look back and find out how they each took one of the Best of 2024 crowns.
Here are the 23 winners in St Helens:
At Gems
GEMMA Kelly’s career in hairdressing started when she was just 15.
Working as a Saturday girl while she was still at school, she knew she wanted to become a stylist.
Fast forward to 2013 and Gemma was able to open her own salon At Gems, which is on Clipsley Lane in Haydock, and it was the first winner in our Best of 2024 competition.
Gemma launched At Gems 11 years ago and has apprentice Bonnie Rushton ready to complete her apprenticeship.
The salon has just moved across the road into a new space – the building was formerly Flawless.
Read more:
From Saturday girl to award-winning Haydock hair stylist
Burchall's
WHEN your pork pie has been keeping hungry customers satisfied for more than 180 years, there’s no need to create another.
Piemaker extraordinaire John Burchall and his family have been making award-winning pies in St Helens since the 1840s and the 74-year-old is now the proud winner of our St Helens’ Best for Pies – for the third year in a row.
Four tasty treats in St Helens made the shortlist for Best for Pies – Burchall’s, Pimbletts, Cottams and Blackburns - with Burchall’s taking the coveted crown to secure their third Best of award.
“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” is John’s motto when it comes to creating the perfect pie and he continues to use the same recipe passed down through five generations of his family.
Originally launched as a butcher’s shop by Joseph Burchall and merged as a bakery with his wife Elizabeth, Burchall's first opened along Church Street in St Helens town centre 184 years ago.
Making the short move to Westfield Street in 1921, Burchall's is frequently mentioned as one of the most loved businesses in St Helens and has become famous for its juicy pork pies and quality meats.
Read more:
Meet the maker of St Helens’ triple award-winning pies
Nails by Mandy
AMANDA Ward is celebrating.
The talented nail technician was been named St Helens’ Best for Nails 2024 beating off some tough competition for the title.
Ten talented nail techs in St Helens made the shortlist for Best for Nails with Nails by Mandy taking the coveted crown.
Amanda’s salon is at her home in Parr and she opened the business in September 2019.
She has worked in two other salons in St Helens before deciding to launch her own nail business.
The 38-year-old is qualified in nails and skin care, lash lifts and brow lamination as well as waxing and tinting.
Read more:
Picture perfect nails by “simply the best nail technician in St Helens"
The Moss Bank
SUNDAY lunch – roast beef, chicken or lamb – served with five different vegetables, roast and mashed potatoes and topped off with a Yorkshire pudding and gravy.
The kitchen team at The Moss Bank know how to make a good roast dinner.
They even offer it served in a Yorkshire pudding wrap!
And the Sunday favourite at this popular St Helens venue took the town’s Best for Roast Dinner award.
Seven tasty roast dinners in St Helens made the shortlist for Best for Roast Dinner with The Moss Bank taking this year’s coveted crown.
Stephen Lawler is the owner of the Moss Bank Road venue taking over at the pumps in December 2021.
Read more:
Moss Bank has St Helens' best roast dinner all wrapped up
Cinema Bar
CHEERS to Cinema Bar – St Helens’ Best for Cocktails 2024!
With more than 40 cocktails on the menu including an adult Capri Sun, a pink pornstar martini and plenty of classics, it’s easy to see why Cinema Bar is such a popular place for cocktails.
And they’ve won the Best for Cocktails title this year making it two Best of honours in three years.
We toasted seven terrific cocktail places in St Helens who made the shortlist for Best for Cocktails with Cinema Bar taking this year’s coveted crown making it two wins in the last three years.
Hannah Mcloughlin took over at the pumps in November 2019 with the business first opening in 2013.
Hannah is co-owner and manager with partner Tom Chisnall and Cinema Bar is very much a family-run business with Hannah’s parents Mark and Sandra and her brother Alfie as well as Tom’s parents Kath and Tom Sr helping out alongside in house managers Charlie and Shannon.
Read more:
Cheers to the bustling bar serving St Helens’ best cocktails
Shakey J's
SAUSAGES and bacon from a local butcher, free range farm eggs and Heinz baked beans served with thick toast with lashings of real butter – that’s how to make an award-winning breakfast.
The full English breakfast at Shakey J’s in Newton-le-Willows has toasted the competition once again this year and is still St Helens Star’s Best for Breakfast.
Twelve brilliant breakfasts made the shortlist with Shakey J’s taking this year’s coveted crown after winning two top honours last year.
Chris Jackson and his partner Claire Maguire opened Shakey J’s as a milkshake bar in 2016 in Newton-le-Willows.
Two years ago, the couple made the decision to move a few doors down High Street to bigger premises and expand the business.
Read more:
American diner toasts the competition to take Best for Breakfast title
The Nelson Chippery
FRESH fish coated in crispy batter served with perfectly cooked chips – the ideal treat for teatime.
The Nelson Chippery is the “top plaice” in St Helens for everyone’s favourite fried food and has just scooped this year’s Best Fish and Chips award – something they’re all hugely proud of.
Stephen Lawler, who lives locally in Moss Bank, opened The Nelson on Bridge Street in 2015 – he is company director and the owner is Jean Lawler.
Read more
Meet the team working at St Helens’ top ‘plaice’ for fish and chips
https://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/news/24383191.meet-team-working-st-helens-top-plaice-fish-chips/
The Turks Head
WHEN the sun is shining and you fancy a drink outside, there’s nowhere better than The Turks Head.
The popular St Helens pub has just won our latest Best of 2024 award – St Helens’ Best Beer Garden.
Cheers to everyone at The Turks Head!
We said cheers to 12 top beer gardens in St Helens with some great spots for a drink in the sunshine making the shortlist and Turks Head / Cowley Vaults took this year’s coveted crown.
Daryl Arrowsmith and Deborah Wilson are the owners of The Turks Head on Morley Street having taken over at the pumps nearly 20 years ago in 2005.
The couple grew up in Billinge and Deb’s family is originally from St Helens.
Daryl owned an off licence before the opening the pub and Deb worked for the local council before joining her partner at The Turks Head.
Read more:
Fancy a drink in the sunshine this weekend in this award-winning beer garden?
Ashley James Ward at Award Health & FItness
WHEN it comes to fitness, Ashley James Ward really knows his stuff.
He’s been in the business for two decades – that’s twenty years dedicated to improving people’s health and fitness and even their lives.
It’s no surprise that his clients voted him St Helens’ Best for Fitness for the third year in a row.
Eight top fitness instructors in St Helens made the shortlist for Best for Fitness and Ashley James Ward took this year’s coveted crown making it a hat-trick of titles.
Ashley opened Award Health & Fitness in Lea Green in 2018 before moving to College Street in 2019 and Merton Bank Road in 2021.
He grew up in Upholland and has always worked in the fitness industry around St Helens.
Read more:
Two decades in the fitness industry leads to hat-trick of awards
White Rabbit Tattoo Studio
WHITE Rabbit Tattoo Studio is the number one place to get inked in St Helens for the second year in a row.
Victoria Kay has been tattooing for nearly six years and her customers and clients have voted in their dozens for her to win St Helens’ Best for Tattoos 2024 – a double award win after taking the title in 2023.
Ten top tattooists in St Helens made the shortlist for Best for Tattoos and White Rabbit Tattoo Studio took this year’s coveted crown.
Vicky Jackson – who goes by the name Victoria Kay on social media – opened the business on Dalehead Place, Clinkham Wood, in September 2018.
Vicky is from St Helens having grown up in Carr Mill very close to where her shop is located and after finishing her apprenticeship she decided to take the plunge and set up her own business.
Read more:
Award-winning tattooist has eye for creating beautiful artwork in ink
Gavin's Butchers
DAVID Gavin has been working in butchery since he was nine.
He worked a Saturday job alongside his dad Chris until going full time at 16 before opening Gavin’s Butchers in 1987.
Fast forward 37 years and the business has just bagged our latest Best of 2024 Award – St Helens’ Best Independent Shop or Business.
Ten top independent shops and businesses in St Helens made the shortlist for our latest Best of 2024 award and Gavin’s Quality Butchers took this year’s coveted crown.
David Gavin, who has lived in St Helens all his life, opened Gavin’s Butchers on Baldwin Street in August 1987 with his dad Chris.
Read more:
Four decades of quality meat and excellent customer service at town’s top butchers
The Brownie Shack
WHEN you have a sweet tooth it seems only natural to go into the cake making business.
And that’s exactly what Lyndsey Parr has done.
She launched The Brownie Shack just last year baking tasty treats like cookie pies, millionaire shortbread and cheesecakes as well as brownies and old school sponge cake.
Lyndsey’s delicious desserts have won her our latest Best of 2024 award – St Helens’ Best for Desserts – proving she was right to follow her dream and do something she loves.
Seven delicious dessert destinations in St Helens made the shortlist for our latest Best of 2024 award and The Brownie Shack took this year’s coveted crown.
Lyndsey Parr opened the business last year on Broadway in Grange Park, St Helens.
The Brownie Shack is a small family-run business creating desserts and special occasion cakes.
Read more:
Tasty treats and delicious desserts from nursery nurse turned award-winning baker
Jo Jingles Warrington, Wigan & St Helens
FROM babies to mums, toddlers to dads and pre-schoolers to grandparents, Jo Jingles is a class for all ages.
Fran Harrop and Jo Jingles have been entertaining generations of children for nearly three decades and the duo have just picked up their second Best for Kids award.
Ten kids’ classes and groups in St Helens made the shortlist for our latest Best of 2024 award and Jo Jingles Warrington, Wigan and St Helens took this year’s coveted crown.
Fran Harrop launched her very first Jo Jingles class in Eccleston 28 years ago and expanded into Warrington, Wigan and surrounding areas.
Word soon spread about the classes and demand sky rocketed.
She now has sessions on Mondays and Wednesdays at Jigsaws Adventure Play in Pemberton, on Thursday in Great Sankey and Lowton and five classes at The Nest in Eccleston on Fridays as well as nurseries and other private settings.
Read more:
Three decades of entertaining generations for Fran and Jo Jingles
Leanne's Doggy B&B
FURRY friends are in safe hands when they visit Leanne’s Doggy B&B.
Animal lover Leanne Grundy has been walking dogs and running a successful boarding kennels for the past ten years.
She welcomes people’s pets into her home, looking after them as if they were members of her family.
And Leanne’s Doggy B&B has just taken our latest Best of 2024 title – Best for Pets.
Ten perfect places for pets in St Helens made the shortlist for the latest Best of 2024 award and Leanne’s Doggy B&B has taken this year’s coveted crown.
Leanne Grundy grew up in St Helens and is a Thatto Heath girl.
She opened her business ten years ago in January 2014, first based in Norris Green before moving to Whiston in 2020.
Read more:
Dog walker and dog sitter treats precious pets like members of the family
Harriet Harmon Studios
HARRIET Harmon has been in the hair and beauty industry for eight years.
Her passion for making others feel good in their own skin and smile as they leave her salon shines through in her work.
Her business has gone from strength to strength over the past few years and Harriet has just picked up our most recent Best of 2024 award – St Helens’ Best for Beauty.
Ten beauty salons and technicians made the shortlist for the latest Best of 2024 award and Harriet Harmon Studios has taken this year’s coveted crown officially giving the town’s best glow up.
Harriet Harmon Studios, formerly Harriet Harmon Makeup, is based at Harriet’s home studio in Eccleston.
The business was launched in 2018 with Harriet starting makeup in 2016 working in salons, a home studio at her parents’ house to a new location at her own home studio.
Read more:
Beauty studio offering the best glow ups in St Helens takes top award
Dial-A-Pizza
“The secret lies in the ingredients - freshly made dough, no salt and pure mozzarella.”
John Jones, owner of Dial-A-Pizza, reveals the secret to his success – never compromise on the quality of the ingredients.
They sound mouth-wateringly good and they’re the very worthy winner of our latest Best of 2024 award – St Helens’ Best for Pizza 2024.
Eight perfect pizza places made the shortlist for the latest Best of 2024 award and Dial-A-Pizza has taken this year’s coveted crown making it back to back wins.
John Jones and Steven Neild opened Dial-A-Pizza more than three decades ago – in 1990 – and the family-run business has been delivering pizzas to the people of St Helens and surrounding areas ever since.
Dial-A-Pizza is based at Sutton Oak Drive and the business partners have both lived in St Helens for 30 years.
Read more:
Here’s where you can grab a slice of award-winning mouth-watering pizza in St Helens
Nirvana Coffee Shop
DAINTY freshly made finger sandwiches followed by homemade cakes and scones with clotted cream – the perfect afternoon tea treat!
Nirvana Coffee Shop in St Helens is the latest winner in our Best of 2024 awards –St Helens’ Best for Afternoon Tea – for the second year in a row!
Ten top afternoon teas in St Helens made the shortlist for the latest Best of 2024 award and Nirvana Coffee Shop has taken this year’s coveted crown.
Lindsey Pye has been the owner of Nirvana Coffee Shop on Lowfield Lane since she first opened the doors in November 2016.
Read more:
Homemade afternoon tea is top pick for treats in St Helens
Shakey J's
TWO fresh beef patties, crispy American streaky bacon, melted chilli cheese, jalapeño, lettuce, onion and tomato topped with onion rings – Shakey J’s knows how to make a good burger.
Chris Jackson, owner of the Newton-le-Willows venue, clearly has the recipe for success as he has just topped the table when it comes to burgers and he can say he serves the best in the area for the second year in a row.
Ten delicious looking burgers made St Helens’ shortlist in the latest Best of 2024 category and Shakey J’s has taken this year’s coveted crown making it a double victory in the awards for the second year in a row.
Chris Jackson and his partner Claire Maguire opened Shakey J’s as a milkshake bar in 2016 in Newton-le-Willows.
Two years ago, the couple made the decision to move a few doors down High Street to bigger premises and expand the business.
Read more:
Double awards for American style diner your kids will love – and gran will enjoy it too!
Ruskin Fitness
FIVE-star gym facilities and a boutique spa – Ruskin Fitness Club is St Helens’ Best Gym 2024!
And with members saying it’s the “best gym I've been to with great equipment” it’s easy to see why the Ruskin Drive facility has taken top spot.
Six top gyms made St Helens’ shortlist in the latest Best of 2024 category and Ruskin Fitness Club came out on top.
Alex Kwasniewski is the manager of Ruskin Fitness Club with James Woodyer and Stephen Palfrey, who are both born and raised in St Helens, as the owners.
The Ruskin Drive facility had a large refurbishment in 2020 and they reopened the new and improved fitness club with spa in 2022.
Read more:
£1 million investment in state-of-the-art gym scoops top award
Balti Spice
WHEN Steve Chowdhury opened Balti Spice 16 years ago, he had big plans to make the restaurant a success.
He wanted to share his passion for Indian cuisine and make the business thrive.
Fast forward to 2024 and Steve has just topped our latest Best of 2024 category – St Helens’ Best for Curry 2024 – making it a hat-trick of titles over the past three years.
Eight delicious curry places made St Helens’ shortlist in the latest Best of 2024 category and Balti Spice came out on top for the third year in a row making it a hat-trick of titles.
Steve Chowdhury opened Balti Spice on Duke Street in St Helens in 2008.
He arrived in St Helens in 1978, married a local girl and settled down in the town, bringing up his family here.
It was only through working in other restaurants in the 1980s and 1990s that Steve managed to find out exactly what curry lovers want to see in St Helens.
Read more:
Popular St Helens restaurant scoops hat-trick of top curry awards
Nirvana Coffee Shop
NIRVANA Coffee Shop has done the double double!
After taking home St Helens’ Best for Afternoon Tea and Best Café or Coffee Shop in 2023, the popular place has repeated their feat and topped the tables for the same two awards in 2024.
Congratulations!
Ten top cafés and coffee shops in St Helens made the shortlist for the latest Best of 2024 award and Nirvana Coffee Shop has taken this year’s coveted crown – for the second year in a row and doing a Best of 2024 double.
Owner Lindsey Pye opened Nirvana Coffee Shop on Lowfield Lane in November 2016.
Read more:
Popular coffee shop takes second Best of 2024 award and celebrates the double!
Nicola and Aidan Gill at The Millhouse
LOCALS at The Millhouse have taken Nicola and Aidan Gill to their hearts.
The couple took over at the pumps two-and-a-half years ago and have turned it into a popular place for families and customers of all ages.
After taking last year’s Best Pub in St Helens award, the Mill Lane venue has been named the town’s Best Pub for the second year in a row.
Twelve of St Helens’ most popular pubs and bars made the shortlist for the latest Best of 2024 award and The Millhouse has taken this year’s coveted crown for the second year in a row.
Nicola and Aidan Gill took over at the pumps at The Millhouse on Mill Lane in March 2022.
Read more:
The Millhouse named as St Helens’ Best Pub for second year in a row
Verona Kitchen & Bar
AT Verona Kitchen & Bar offers an authentic dining experience, focusing on a modern take on traditional Italian cuisine.
Visitors can expect an exceptional dining experience that highlights Italian favourites and innovative dishes with a modern twist.
Andy and the team have clearly got all the ingredients for a successful restaurant as they have just bagged our final Best of 2024 award – St Helens Star’s Best Restaurant.
Ten of St Helens Star’s most popular restaurants made the shortlist for our final Best of 2024 award and Verona Kitchen & Bar has taken this year’s coveted crown for the second year in a row.
Andy Orgill opened Verona Kitchen & Bar on High Street in Newton-le-Willows in November 2017, so it’s coming up to celebrating its 7th birthday.
It’s a family run restaurant with Andy’s wife Claire and brother-in-law Craig Taylor.
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