Inside ‘unique’ pub named one of the UK’s best with £3.30 pints and sprawling beer garden

A “unique” has charmed its way into the hearts of pub-goers and earned the accolade of being one of the UK’s finest watering holes. The Lock and Quay in Bootle, situated along the Leeds and Canal, has been serving up good cheer for more than a decade, rain or shine.

Journalist Dan Haygarth discovered a lively venue brimming with life on a sunny Friday afternoon, as workers from a nearby industrial estate crowded in to savour a pint under the golden rays. This local treasure boasts everything one could desire for a blissful day in the sun, sporting an extensive beer garden that hugs the pub’s L-shaped structure, complete with outdoor bars, ample seating, a food truck, and even a marquee for extra shelter.

Step through its doors to be greeted by the welcoming heat from a blazing open fire – the epitome of comfort as temperatures drop. Within these walls lies a pub steeped in charm; its walls are decked out with artwork, guitars, and a Bootle FC scarf draped above the bar, all celebrating local spirit.

Moreover, with spacious grounds, The Lock and Quay is perfectly kitted out for hosting gatherings.

First christened as The Little Merton, this gem came under the wing of SAFE Regeneration charity in 2014, which manages from the neighbouring former St Mary’s School. Although it was initially taken over for just one fundraising event, under the charity’s guidance, it has flourished to become recognised as Liverpool’s only microbrew pub

SAFE continues to manage the pub on a daily basis, with any profits going back into initiatives that help revitalise Bootle. Jane Dawe, director of SAFE regeneration collaborations, put the pub forward for PubAid’s respected Community Pub Award.

Her confidence was justified when The Lock and Quay in Bootle won the Community Support Hero award at the Hero Awards, held at the Houses of Parliament on Tuesday, March 4. The awards recognise licensees who make a positive impact on their communities and venues known for their neighbourhood contributions – attributes that Jane believes The Lock and Quay embodies perfectly.

Jane said: “The Lock and Quay on Bootle canal-side is the Liverpool City Region’s only community-owned pub, with over 300 stakeholder members, and which this year celebrates 10 years since local charity SAFE Regeneration answered a call from local people to ‘do something – that was the last place we had to be together.

“Now it’s a bustling hub where folks gather to play music, paddle canoes, sing, debate, connect and nurture ideas. Our expansive gardens host monthly community festivals – there’s something for everyone.

“The Lock is unique – we’re not a community centre, but we are the heart of our community. Being a finalist in these awards means the world to our small, dedicated team – especially in our anniversary year.”

The Lock and Quay is far more than just a local boozer; it’s a lifeline in the heart of the community, providing essential jobs, championing local projects, and serving up frothy favourites from neighbouring breweries such as SAFE, Stamps, and The Republic of Liverpool Brewery. Offering irresistible cask ales at just £3.30 a pint, it’s no mystery why they’re the top choice for punters.

Liz Bromilow, the dynamic manager of the beloved Bootle hub, has passionately discussed her key role in maintaining the pub and its value to locals with ECHO. The 43 year old revealed: “SAFE re-opened it as a pop-up for an event and called it the Lock and Quay. But it didn’t ever pop down, because the community started using it straight away.”

She continued: “My family has a pub in Waterloo called Stamps, and we have a brewery based in SAFE. The charity approached us and asked if we knew anyone who wanted to take over this venue because they weren’t using this outside space.”

Driven by community spirit, Liz asserted: “I wanted to come in myself and make sure the beer garden was getting used and that it was all a bit more organised – because they weren’t expecting it to be as used as it was. Immediately, the local community got involved – they clearly needed it.”

Highlighting the pub’s vital place in society, she remarked: “Pubs are so integral to communities – for some of the guys here, they might be the only people they speak to all day. People forget that side of it – all they see is the drinking, but there’s a lot more to a pub – so much more.”