North West

Fly in the Loaf

Liverpool L1

Fly in the Loaf illustrates Victorian style, with a mix of ecclesiastical and baroque designs.

The building was once home to Kirkland's bakery, whose company motto was "No flies in the loaf".

Drinking in style

The pub is owned by Isle of Man's Okells Brewery and was developed by its UK operator Steve Holt, who has fitted out the pub in a way dedicated to drinking in style. It now attracts drinkers who appreciate the eight cask ales on offer, many of which are rotating guest ales, or the huge selection of foreign beers, mostly stocked in bottles.

Manager Dominic Hornsby (pictured) comments: "It's the place where people come to try something different. We set out to offer

a choice of drinks that are off the mainstream menu trotted out by most of the big chain pubs."

High retail standards

Students form an important part of the

customer base, but visitors to the pub are a complete cross section of society.

Service is one of the other high points of the retail offering - beers are served in the correct branded glass by attentive members of staff, who are always around to ensure minimum waiting time for customers.

Dominic remarks: "Our aim is to remain at the forefront of the industry, which means we have to be alert to changing retail trends and new ideas, but we will always retain our core values. Now that we have secured a

position as a leading city-centre venue, we want to stay there."

Daring to be different

Since it opened in 2004, local awards have been showered on the pub, both from the Campaign for Real Ale and the Mersey

Tourist Board.

Dominic says: "Pubs are becoming

increasingly stereotyped these days, but our policy has been to maintain an individual touch from day one.

"Here, our customers can drink in stylish

surroundings, enjoying a variety of ales and beers that they will not always be able to

obtain elsewhere."