Head of steam Liverpool Lime Street

Was allegedly sold last year BUT it did appear in the advertising for the last Head of Steam Festivals

but not at the same time. All the usual Head of Steam paraphernalia has gone.

I have not been in for months because of the lack of beer choice. Only Black Sheep and not in the best of condition.

So I wonder what's happening to the chain. Several of these pubs have been sold - Doric Arch at Euston, the one at Deansgate I believe.

How many of them are left?

If I had been the owner of the chain, and I had found the appaling state of the Lime Street one, I would have been demanding that the name was changed. It reflects badly on their image.

I'm surprised that a change of name wasn't insisted on when it was sold. I'm sue Wetherspoon would not allow a new owner to retain the Wetherspoon name on one that they had sold. - I appreciarte that most Wetherspoons are not in fact\called Wetherspoons, but some are.

Head of Steam Festivals

Sheep and not in the best of condition.

Their website still maintains that Liverpool is part of the chain.

I have had the same experience of lack of choice at Liverpool. Yes twenty or so hand pumps, all unused apart from one selling Black Sheep Bitter and the other Old Rosie cider.

Just think what Tim Martin could do to that establishment!

Well I've had the following from Tony Brookes of the Head of Steam Chain. This must be a unique problem amongst all the other pubs in Liverpool.

Mr Rigg - I discussed this with Rob McNeill, our tenant, yesterday. He understands the problem, but pointed out an on'going problem there - that, while you are not a Black Sheep fan, whenever it is on, our customers love it and drink nothing else. This causes a problem, as we don't want to waste beer and want to serve in premium quality - rock and hard place. Summer trade is always worst time of the year and we all know about pub trade sales drop in general.

Yesterday, there were 3 beers on - all Coach House, including the lovely Blueberry and 'Posstlethwaite', celebrating Pete P who comes from Warrington.

Rob's plan is to increase sales choice toward the autumn and have a big splash when the students come back. He is very sorry for your disappointment, but hopes you understand.

Please try the pub again! thank you for your support.

Best wishes Tony Brookes

(Me again)

So there you are. It occurs to me that if that is the case they would be better removing all the redundant hand pumps. I cannot believe that if they had supoorted Liverpool's local brewery (ie Cains which is now in difficulties) the regulars might have taken to it.

In any case the custom of a bar on a railway staion is to say the least transient. Your stall should be set out to attrcat passing trade bacause this is a significant amount of your trade.

Not a convincing reply from Tony Brookes.

We're talking about Liverpool Lime Street- not exactly a quiet backwater and full of itinerant people. How can he possibly say of such people "our customers love it (Black Sheep) and drink nothing else". Perhaps he's right, because most (potential) customers go in, take a look at the non existent choice, and leave.

How can his branch at Huddersfield - a far smaller station, with a superb pub, The King's Head, at the other end of Platform 1 from his own establishment - manage to stock 8 real ales, whereas Liverpool, with no competition to speak of, can only manage Black Sheep Bitter?

In addition, Liverpool is currently the European Capital of Culture. It must be its busiest year ever. What a missed opportunity - the Head of Steam could have been an ambassador for the best of British beers.

As I said earlier, I'm sure Wetherspoons could improve the Liverpool Head of Steam. (incidentally, could you ever envisage Wetherspoons at London Victoria, Leeds, Aberystwyth or any other station venue in which they have pubs, only serving one beer? Of course not!) Perhaps Tony Brookes ought to get onto the blower to Tim Martin.