In a time when we're seeing many people's local pubs closing at a rapid rate, it is refreshing to see new independent venues thriving and keeping alive the 'local' culture that is so important to the people on Merseyside.
As people's tastes of what they want from a night out have become more focused on the city centre or areas with a dozen pubs and bars within walking distance, the local remains at the heart of the community.
A new local will rarely open in an area these days, but in Huyton, a new venue opened in November and has been a big success with the community.
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The Coach House, which is set back on the grounds of Bowring Golf Course on Roby Road has been open for just over four months and had organically grown through word of mouth from locals. Unless you knew about it, you wouldn't be aware it was there because it is off the main road.
Managers Alex Prescott and Daniel Price had envisioned running a bar one day after discussing it back in college. Before taking on the Coach House they had previous experience in outdoor catering for venues and decided it was time to take on a new challenge with the Coach House under the company One Day.
It offers a change of scene to a traditional pub but still has a feeling of a local for people in the area. Many people in Huyton have already labelled it their 'new local' since it opened in the autumn.
Daniel said: "We opened on November 17 and on the opening night we were all nervous as we didn't know what it would be like. We sat in the corner having something to eat and it was quiet, it gradually started getting busy and we were made up.
"The timing of the opening was perfect as we had the winter World Cup and had the matches on so people would pop in and watch that. We then had a busy Christmas and into 2023 that custom didn't drop off.
"That is down to the people coming in and word of mouth from the locals. It has grown naturally and with the plans for the summer, we want the regulars to continue coming as well as welcoming new faces to pop in.
"There was no big marketing campaign, we mostly use Instagram and then the popularity has mostly grown from the people coming in, enjoying themselves and telling people about it.
"We take feedback from our customers seriously as well. They're what makes it and if they have suggestions on how we can improve we take it on board. For example, somebody will suggest we start serving a certain drink and we start stocking it.
"We get people just popping their head in to check how things are going even if they aren't stopping for a coffee or a pint. The people who come in are always great with us."
The intimate venue can house around 60 people for people looking for coffee, a glass of wine, or something to eat. The food offered is different to your traditional pub menu and has a Baltic Market feel to it.
The Coach House is dog-friendly, with a Dog Station for treats and water for your pet - and also welcomes families until close - with a play area for children outside.
Some pubs have a strict policy of no children after a certain time but the Coach House doesn't and that is due to the atmosphere the owners are creating.
On Friday and Sunday nights, they host a local live singer who provides entertainment for the evening with a mix of covers and music.
Roby Road is popular for people in the area looking for a drink. In addition to the Coach House, there are three traditional pubs within a few minutes walk of each other.
Alex said he wants the area thriving and sees the Coach House as a great addition to Huyton.
He said: "We have competition from the Derby Lodge, the Stanley and the Crofters, but we offer something different to those pubs. It isn't about stealing their custom, we wanted to offer something different to those pubs and we want to see the area thriving.
"We choose the nights of our singers so it doesn't clash with things these places have on.
"We aren't a chain like they are. The atmosphere is different because we are a smaller venue, by day we are more like somewhere for people to come in for a coffee and as it gets later in the day, people will start to have a glass of wine or a beer.
"We get a mix of people coming in throughout the day. That could be parents popping in for a coffee, the golfers coming in after a round on the course and people off work just looking to wind down for a bit.
"Families and dogs are welcome all day. On one table you could have a group of friends having a quiet drink and on the next table a family who have wanted to get out of the house for a bit.
"Everyone gets on and people will talk to other tables and it has become a close-knit community.
"The people of Huyton are so friendly and are always welcoming and everyone ends up talking to each other - even if they are strangers."
The owners said they wanted to offer premium drinks at a similar price to what is served elsewhere in the area.
In the coming weeks and months, regulars of the Coach House and newcomers will see the venue transform as they prepare for the summer months and lighter nights.
An outdoor seating area of initially around 50 people will be introduced so people can enjoy the drinks and food in the sun.
A private function room will also be opening soon for parties, christenings and business events.
Adam and Daniel hope that long term they can expand and look to open in other areas to continue to grow the custom.
When asked what people should expect when they come to The Coach House for the first time, Alex said: "The unexpected really. We are an intimate venue that welcomes everyone into the Coach House.
"The people who come in have made it what it is, a friendly community just wanting to have a good time. You will see couples, groups of mates, people working from a laptop, families and familiar faces."
