Vibrant village with a ‘rural atmosphere’ that is growing in popularity every day

With lighter nights and warmer weather in sight, there’s nothing better than going for a walk, a day of shopping or enjoying a beer in the sun.

And luckily you don’t have to travel too far for that. While Merseyside has many destinations that people love to visit, one historic village continues to expand its haven of independents, attracting loyal locals and new customers from further afield.

Located on the outskirts of St Helens, it’s the middle of the week and the sun is shining in the village of Rainhill, a place I haven’t spent much time in for years. The area is synonymous with ‘Stephenson’s Rocket’ steam train and railways and whilst it retains many of its beautiful old buildings and traditional businesses, it is now home to a number of new, vibrant venues.

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Located between Liverpool and Manchester, Rainhill train station is adjacent to a number of businesses, making it easier to travel to the area, and encouraging locals to socialize and shop here rather than heading to nearby city centers. As I step off the train and head towards Warrington Road I am met by the busy Cookhouse pub and carvery to my right, a number of beauty parlors and a sea of ​​customers and cars passing through the village.

I went first to Hayes Butchers, an independent shop on Warrington Road, on a site that has been home to a butcher’s shop for around 200 years. The display cabinet is full of meat, chicken and BBQ delights and the shelves are full of delicious chutney pot combinations.

Standing at the front of the store is Tony Hayes, who has owned the store for the past decade but first started working there as a teenager. Tony told the ECHO: “It used to be John Showering but I’ve been working here since I was 16. I think it was before John Welsby.