IT’S been a win win week for best selling Warrington crime writer Conrad Jones.
His new title, The Priest and the Devil has topped the Amazon Hot New Release and Horror chart and he has passed his personal license exams so he can supervise in Birchwood’s recently revamped ‘Quarterdeck’ pub, where he is a director.
The Quarterdeck is run by family and fellow directors Kane Stott, Zoe and Neil Barlow and Conrad.
They were experienced in business but not in the pub trade, and the last year has been a steep learning curve, resulting in a popular community-feel pub with a revamped beer garden, events and live music, as well as a pop-up kitchen. They recently took on their second pub. The Plough Inn at Croft.
The Quarterdeck is managed by Kane Stott, Conrad’s partner’s son.
Kane said: “Having grown up in the area it was a real shame seeing the place go to ruin. Landlords would come and go, and Nelson’s Quarterdeck ended up with a bad reputation.
“I had the chance to give this place a go so after convincing the others, we got on with it.
“It is nothing like my own businesses in alarms and security, but we all applied our knowledge of running a business well and added in affordable beers and live music.”
Now, as author Conrad has the UK’s required qualification to be responsible for authorising alcohol sales, he can spend his time away from the keyboard at the pub, when necessary.
“ It is great to see locals who are my neighbours enjoying the beer garden and having a place to meet up with mates.
“We’ve created 12 jobs, that’s steady work for people from Birchwood.
“I am also hoping, of course, that some of my local readers will come in for a drink and say hello. We have a book nook and are aiming to cement a regular book club and host next year’s Warrington Crime Festival. The dates for that event have not been finalised, but we’re looking to have some of the UK’s top authors here.”
Kane said: “It is great to have Conrad here at the pub, now he has taken the licence exams. I need to see more of him pulling pints and less of him chatting about his books though,” he joked. Conrad, who has also recently launched a free-to-download podcast ‘Tales from the Darkside’, said he will be doing both although he’s better at writing books than pulling a pint. “I am really looking forward to getting a book club going to add to our quiz night and live music here.”
That’s good news for Warrington fans of Conrad’s Inspector Alec Ramsey character and his Cuckoos on the Mersey and The Nest series.
The new owners of the Birchwood pub are celebrating their one year in charge on September 5 with a family fun day from midday. There’ll be a guest food stall serving baked potatoes, face painting, bouncy castle, and live music from 2 pm until late.
Pictured: Kane and Conrad (above) and the new look Quarterdeck (below)
