West Lancs landlords toast success as pubs awarded place in CAMRA good beer guide 2013

Sep 20 2012 by Rob Pattinson, Ormskirk Advertiser

LANDLORDS across West Lancashire were celebrating after 15 of the borough’s pubs were named in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide 2013.

Among those awarded places this year are the Dog & Gun in Aughton Park, the Kings Arms in Haskayne, the Ring O' Bells and the Ship in Lathom, Wayfarers in Parbold, Eureka and the Farmers Club in Ormskirk.

The Good Beer Guide is an independent catalogue of the best places for a pint of real ale in Britain. As well as the beer on offer, pubs are also selected for their atmosphere, quality of food and history.

In Ormskirk, Disraelis retained its place in the guide, as did the Stocks Tavern in Parbold. There were also places for the Lord Nelson in Croston, Scotch Piper in Lydiate, the Black Bull in Mawdesley and the White Lion in Wrightington.

Ray McKinty, from Parbold, took on the Ship in Lathom with business partner Dave Coyle, transforming it into a warm and traditional country pub through a £250,000 revamp.

After hearing the Ship had made the 2013 guide, Ray said: “We’re absolutely delighted. “It’s something we worked hard for. We wanted it to be a country pub at heart, with real ales at the centre of the business. We love to use local small brewers, George Wright’s, Moorhouse, Prospect, Southport and Burscough, along with a couple of long-standing traditional real ales.”

Elaine Gore, manager of the Farmers Club, Ormskirk, said: “It’s the first time we’ve been in the guide. It’s amazing, really good news. We have a different guest beer every month and we seem to have picked good ones. We hope being in the guide will help the business with the recognition it brings.”