The man has been named locally as Philip Banks from the Wheatsheaf Hotel in St Helens and the community has responded with an outpouring of shock and sadness.
The licensee was described as one of the nicest men one pubgoer has ever met and another said he was a lovely man.
Comments on the St Helens Star newspaper’s Facebook page on the tragic news included one contributor, who wrote: “Me and Phil go back a long time. He was one of the best and legend of a landlord in St Helens. My thoughts are with [wife] Jane and her family in this sad time.”
Missed so much
Another Facebook user said: “One of the nicest men I’ve ever met. Much love to his family and friends. You’ll be missed so much.”
One reader added: “Such sad news. He was such a lovely man. My thoughts are with the family. Rest in peace Phil.”
Death not suspicious
The St Helens Star reported a police spokesman said: “At around 5.25am, the ambulance service reported that they had found a man in his 50s at the Wheatsheaf Hotel in Mill Lane.
“He was pronounced deceased at the scene. The death is not being treated as suspicious and next of kin have been informed. Forensic enquiries are ongoing and a file will be prepared for the coroner.”
On the pub’s website, it states that Philip and wife Jane became proprietors of the pub more than 20 years ago and introduced food to the Wheatsheaf more than 10 years ago and Jane particularly wanted to create ‘a restaurant in a pub’.
Another user said: “[The] Wheatsheaf will not be the same without this wonderful man. Thinking of Jane and the family.”
While one other reader commented: “RIP Phil, another one of my good friends taken too soon. Thoughts are with family at this sad time. Good night. God bless mate.”
If you would like to pay tribute to Philip, please contact us here.