Fearless and in-depth investigative reporting - i.e. asking the two men up a ladder this lunchtime installing a large sign saying 'The Prense Well' - has revealed that Heswall's new Wetherspoon pub will open two weeks from today.

Originally scheduled to unveil its wonders last month, the makeover of the building - most recently home to the ill-fated Exchange bar - has clearly been a larger and longer job than anticipated.

A single storey side and rear extension are being added to the existing premises, along with internal alterations and additional beer garden areas.

For Wetherspoon the Prense Well represents a potential two million pound investment, and the company says it will create 50 jobs. 

How will customers shorten the name? The Prense? The Well?

In case you are one of those potential customers wondering how the new Spoons got its name, we are indebted to local historian Jenny McRonald, who has written about the old wells of Heswall for OldWirral.com.

"Over the years there has been much debate as to the origins of the name Heswall. Many suggestions have been made and Heswall has had different names in the past. However, whatever the reason for the name, we do know that Heswall or Eswelle has had many wells.

"Our native sandstone is soft and easy to fracture to make wells. The village had very little running water and the wells which were recorded were all near clusters of farms and cottages. Of the many wells that existed in the area, few can be seen today, but they were good sources of water in their time for men and beasts alike.

"The site of Penns or Prense Well can be found in Telegraph Road under the railings round the tree outside the block of shops that includes Linghams. The cottages which once stood where the shops are now, shared the same name. It seems to be one of the main wells for the top village; one wonders how far people travelled for their water."

When asked, "Why Heswall?" a spokesperson for Wetherspoon said: "We've enjoyed great success with pubs in the region and are always keen to open in areas where Wetherspoon is currently not located.

"The hospitality industry is the heartbeat of society."