The SD blog always loves a rumour, now they’ve been flying round about the Ship Inn, Haskayne.

This is the most promising, most improved pub of the year. Why are certain people trying to put it down with false rumours?

Anyone know the truth?

With debate raging about the new Ship Inn in Haskayne, I had to see it for myself.

First and foremost the beer situation is excellent. Four handpulls, two from the Southport Brewery, one from the George Wright in Rainhill and a mild that ran out just as I arrived.

All beers excellent with the Pipe Dream from GW just beating the SB offerings in a pleasurable play-off.

Otherwise, people were enjoying their grub, which is traditional compared to the high-priced but excellent food the pub served in its hey-day. Those I spoke to, were very happy with the fare and prices.

There was no sign of the overflowing ashtrays or grime that some have commented on, but I would say the staff are green.

It took three bartenders the same time to serve a phalanx of thirsty customers as, say, Mike at the Guest House by himself would have done, and done with style and conversation.

Training, training, training , is what these staff need and, yes, father’s day is busy but bar staff need a sense of proportion and lessons in how to crack a smile

The maid who served me took a request for a bottle of Coke for the missus (as opposed to horrid draft) as if I’d asked for a beer-bottle butt fuck.

Similarly, two orange cordials for the kids were handed over in half-pint glasses without straws, leading to my two year spilling juice all down her front.

All on all, the Ship is worth your attention for its brilliant beer, beautiful location, good children’s play area, decent food and super prices.

And £2.30 for top quality local cask? Need I say aymore?

Things just keep getting better at the Ship in Haskayne.

George Wright’s Pure Blonde is the guest with Pipe Dream up next. Two regulars from the Southport Brewery are going strong.

In news to gladden the heart of Rednev, The much-missed Ship Folk Club has reformed and is on every Thursday. On Tuesday – at least for now – is pub quiz and Morris Dancing!

The Ship in Haskayne may be a bit off the beaten track but here’s why it’s worth a visit.

Decent grub, beer garden, interesting locals and… wait for it… Sandgrounder and Golden Sands from the Southport Brewery on permanent and a rotating guest beer from Rainhill’s brilliant George Wright brewery.

This pub is pulling out the stops for local cask fans. Get your arses out of Wetherspoons and be here now!

The Ship in Haskayne is open again with Golden Sands from the Southport Brewery on. This sounds like a pub worth supporting. More soon

The saga of the Ship in Haskayne trawls on with news that Mike Leigh won’t be taking it over after all.

Although Mike denied all knowledge of this when questioned by the SD, it has now been announced that a couple from Rochdale, Paul and Stacey Stansfield will be taking over the canalside pub.

Stacey and Paul, run an alehouse called the Smithybridge, which looks a game sort of place. They also proudly boast of their commitment to real ale, which should mean good ale at the Ship rather than the John Smiths we were braced for.

Stacey said: “We are going to be bringing our winning formula to the Ship offering good, traditional pub grub at reasonable prices and a good selection of real cask ales .

The couple hope to be at the helm by the beginning of May.

The new landlord of the Ship Inn in Haskayne is interested in stocking guest cask ales but has decided to “stay with John Smiths for a while and see what they have to offer”.

While this will cause dismay throughout the land, Michael has asked for suggestions for cask in the future.

Sensible suggestions please. I’m going to vote for Golden Sands.

The Ship Inn in Haskayne is to reopen at the “end of march/beginning of April” under a new landlord.

Mike Leigh (pictured) has taken over the pub, which claims to be the first canal-side inn in Britain, with the aim of turning it back into a country ale house.

The Ship used to be a favourite of the SD, with always good Tetley Landlord and other beers and exceptional grub. However in recent times the pub hit the skids, with vastly over-priced food, loud music, poor service and a local teenage entertainer so awful he wasn’t even good.

One of the things that made the Ship unique was its big, strong smelling fireplace. The roof caught fire on Saturday and this was the result of “some silly sod” attaching a wooden joist directly into the chimney breast at some time in the past.

“It was just a question of time really,” says Mike on his blog. “Fortunately I spotted it early and the Fire Brigade got there quick enough to extinguish it and stop the Ship from sinking!”

Explaining what he wants to do with the pub, Mike says: “There’s no posh plans, just to try and get it back to its former glory. Good beer (cask Ales), good traditional food and events.

“I want customers to feel at ease whether they are having a pint after work in their scruff or families coming to visit in their Sunday best for a meal.”

Hear, hear!

The Ship Inn in Haskayne was on fire today. Details are sketchy, but it will be open again very soon. More information as I get it.

Update: Fire out pub still shut.

The Ship Inn in Haskayne was always a great bolt hole, out of the way enough to feel in the country but close enough to be back in Southport in 10 minutes. Good beer, great food, pleasing atmosphere. What more could one ask for?

Today was a different story, with the Southport Drinker family waiting one and a half hours for food, which when it came was useless.

The Ship must do better, especially as the reopened Saracen’s Head, a minute down the canal is bursting at the seams.

UPDATE: New start for Ship in 2009