Landlady Carol Ross told the ECHO ‘I’m flabbergasted, to be fair’ when we shared the news
Carol Ross behind the bar in The Roscoe Head(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
The landlady of a Liverpool pub had no idea it had been named ‘best in Merseyside’ by The Telegraph. Last week, the newspaper compiled a list of England’s 48 ceremonial counties and the single best pub in each.
It selected The Roscoe Head as the top pub in Merseyside – an establishment dating back almost 200 years with origins stretching even further to the 1700s. The Roscoe Street venue has been passed down in the family for generations and is currently run by Carol Ross.
Consisting of a main bar, two small rooms and a tiny snug, a traditional atmosphere has been retained at The Roscoe Head, and with no jukeboxes or fruit machines in sight, the business prides itself on being a “conversation pub.” Known and loved for its beers, it is also the “only pub in the North of England” to appear in every edition of the CAMRA Good Beer Guide since it was first published 51 years ago in 1974.
In 2020, Carol won a 10-year battle to buy The Roscoe Head from its previous owners and save it from closing. Following her victory, she said: “I am truly elated that this has finally come to fruition, at times I thought this battle was never ending, there is only so much stress you can live with and the time nearly came for me to just walk away, but I stuck with it and I am so glad I did as I would have felt I was letting my family and customers down”.
In its article, The Telegraph said: “Landlady Carol Ross fought for ten years to buy this pub and save it from potential closure, and we should all be grateful. The Roscoe is small but wonderful, with four rooms, good beer and pies, and, invariably, excellent conversation. There are more physically arresting pubs nearby – Liverpool is blessed in that regard – but none of them beats The Roscoe Head.”
When the ECHO approached Carol to get her thoughts on the award, the landlady had no idea her pub had been mentioned. After taking a minute to read The Telegraph’s assessment, she said: “I’ve just read the article – it’s very good, isn’t it?,” then joking: “I’m in the papers more than fish and chips!”
She continued: “I’m flabbergasted, to be fair. The Telegraph giving me an award for the best pub – I’m gobsmacked. It’s a proud moment.
“I’ve received lots of awards over the years and I was taught by my dad, who’s now passed. I learned everything from him and I still have the same high standards.
Carol Ross, Landlady of the Roscoe Head Pub on Roscoe Street(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
“I’m really happy, very proud and just made up that people love my pub. If you take pride in what you do, that pride will always shine through.”
Carol described her staff as “wonderful”, adding: “I am very lucky, I am also very proud of them. They also champion my pub and take pride in what they do.”
It’s been a good start to the year for Liverpool’s pub scene with Hobo Kiosk on Bridgewater Street being listed in the European Bar Guide 2025’s top 100 bars. According to the guide, the venue is the 89th best bar in the continent.
The eccentric pub, which serves a selection of craft beers as well as an array of spirits, is ran by husband and wife, Delia Brady-Jacobs and Tristan Brady-Jacobs, who opened it in 2018. Delia, who was also unaware of the listing when approached by the ECHO, said: “It’s nice to be recognised as an interesting pub to hang out in. It also confirms that what we’re doing is okay and that people really like it.”