One of Merseyside's oldest pubs reopens after refurbishment

Bootle’s oldest pub is reopening under new ownership after being closed for refurbishment. The Jawbone Tavern on Litherland Road originally opened in 1802 and was named after the whaling fleets based at Bootle Docks.

The public house has survived two World Wars and was once owned by a Championship-winning Liverpool FC footballer. Since its inception, it has served thousands of people in Bootle Village for well over 200 years and shows no signs of slowing down as it reopens on Friday, September 27.

During Germany’s invasion of Poland in 1939, the pub was run by Jock McNab - a Red midfielder who helped bring home the title in 1922 and 1923. Following his success on the pitch, Jock hung up his boots and retired to work in the pub for over two decades.

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The pub, which is also reportedly haunted, was popular back then with premier league players who would come in to see Jock - including legendary Everton forward Dixie Dean.

Former owner, Harry Sandle, who seen the venue through the pandemic and its hospitality-related restrictions, said: “The Merton, round the corner from us, was also seconded as a hospital for the American soldiers during the war, and a lot of the Americans used to come into the Jawbone.

"The soldiers that were in the hospital would be short of money, but they would come in for a pint and pawn their watches to Jock so they could get a drink. Apparently, Jock had a safe full of American watches and he made a fortune from it, a lot of them didn't have the money to get them back off him. They were all exchanged for a couple of pints. We heard he was a bit of a character but he died in 1953.”

During the war years, Jock risked his business to be able to serve his most loyal customers - the dock workers. In light of a curfew imposed during the war, pubs had to close at 9pm, but Jock fought for his customers in front of magistrates and nearly lost his licence. Harry added: “Jock decided to open a bit later because the dock workers would finish later on their shifts, and he used to stay open for them."

As well as being seeped in wartime history, the tavern is also thought to be one of Merseyside's most haunted pubs. Harry said: "As far as I know it was Lord Derby's hunting lodges, it had a well inside of it. There was a lake underneath this area and they used to bring up fresh water from the well.

"Reportedly, the pub has been haunted for many years, and someone fell through the well and died. There's a number of different hauntings, I've been here since 1987 so I'm probably one of the longest landlords around here. Over the years there's been lots of things. I've seen things move inexplicably, curtains drawn, and people have seen or heard lots of things.

"There have also been reports of pianos playing upstairs when there's no piano. But it's only the living that can harm you, the dead can't harm you."

Fast forward to now and the pub has been refurbished both inside and outside. From updating the toilets and new Ultra HD screens to fitting Chesterfield-style deep leather seating, the venue is ready to be back at the heart of the community.

A spokesperson for the new owners, Nicola Halton, said: “We are delighted to be reopening this historic pub after refurbishment work and look forward to continuing to create a social hub for the community.

“We have kept with the heritage and traditional cosy look throughout the pub. We also have some new beers on tap and can't wait to see what the local community think of the new look. We would also like to wish Harry Sandle, the former landlord, all the best on his well-deserved retirement.”

The Jawbone will be open every day from noon with live entertainment on weekends and live sporting events on its screens.