New Southport pub - the Guelder Rose

The Guelder Rose, Marine Drive

Southport's newest pub, the Guelder Rose, was opened on Monday by the Mayor of Sefton. Built by Marstons, it's on the Marine Drive next to Southport Pier and close to Ocean Plaza with its shops, restaurants, cinema, 10-pin bowling alley and Premier Inn. As it looks out over the Irish Sea, you can sit and gaze at the pier as it stretches across the sands and perhaps even catch a glimpse of the tide on one of its flying visits; on a clear day, you'll be able to see Blackpool Tower. No doubt the outside drinking areas will be very popular in the summer.

It's a food-based pub with play areas for children, but also sells real ale. On opening day, it was selling Hobgoblin, Pedigree, Jennings Cocker Hoop and Brakspear Bitter, a predictable choice from the Marstons stable. They have suggested they might try to put on a beer from the local Southport Brewery; in view of where it is, I'd suggest Golden Sands.

The building is reasonably attractive in a corporate new-build sort of way, certainly better than the huge sheds that make up Ocean Plaza. No one lives in the area and it's too far from the centre of town, or indeed any other pub (except the newish Waterfront on the Promenade, also a food-orientated place) to become a local, but I expect it will be popular with visitors in the summer and anyone who uses the various Ocean Plaza attractions throughout the year.