The Derby Arms, St. Helens

a bit like most pubs round here it’s lovely and traditional but now almost entirely a restaurant. if you sit in the bar area and can put up with the stench of food it’s nice enough. the refurbishment a few years brightened the place up and relaunched it as a gastro destination but unfortunately failed to improve the miserable beer selection, 5 on today and all bland Punch standards.

This has been refurbished since I was last in and it is now much more comfortable place. The interior is pleasant enough and there were 3 casks on on my visit. A fairly pedestrian selection all told with Bombardier, Wainwright and one I've forgotten. There aren't many pubs in Rainford so at least its open.