AN Old Hall pub hopes to be voted ahead of the pack.

The Maltings on Bewsey Farm Close has been shortlisted in this year’s Dog Buddy’s Best Dog Friendly Pub.

This is a national award with regional winners and, as the Warrington Guardian went to press, the pub was in top spot for the north west followed by The Caledonia in Liverpool and Jackson’s Boat in Sale.

James Jepson, general manager, said: “We hope to be able to say that the north west’s – and potentially the UK’s – Best Dog Friendly Pub is here in Warrington.

“We have been at the venue now for over a year and have been fully dog friendly since day one.

“During our refurbishment we decided to remain dog friendly due to the locality of the venue near Sankey Valley Park and also as it helps to retain our belief and aspirations to remain a family-friendly pub.”

As well as a dog station with towels, treats, fresh water and dog bowls available for the canine visitors, the pubs also serves up a Sunday dinner for dogs with all the trimmings.

Each week the pubs hosts a dog of the week competition where the winning owner receives two pints.

Owner Neil Sparkes created 12 new jobs at the Old Hall pub when he took over the helm in August 2017.

The pub unveiled its new look after a £300,000 refurbishment project in December 2017.

It was the former Great Sankey High School student’s seventh pub in the Warrington area and he spent four weeks overseeing the makeover to ‘enhance the pub’s unique look’.

This included making the most of the building’s exposed beams, raising the ceiling, improving the furniture and lighting, moving the bar and opening up one end to make it more open plan.

If you think this watering hole caters as well for its canine customers as it does for its human patrons, you can cast your vote on the website.

Only one vote per person per pub will be counted.

Voting closes on October 28.

To vote for The Maltings click here.