Chorley Chatter

Alot has happened in the 21 months since the last Ale Cry hit the pubs, and despite the general air of gloom that has enveloped the hospitality sector of late, most of it is positive. There has been much activity in the town centre and this is where we will start this issue’s round-up.

Chorley is not renowned as a brewing town, so the opening of a new brewery is a major event. Ben Haydock was running an office furniture business in the Yarrow Business Centre and had the urge to start a brewery at the premises. Obviously stuck for a name, he decided to call it BEN’S BREWERY, with his father and son (both called Keith) being involved in the business. Although only running since the spring,

there is a cracking range of beers: The Duke, a 4.5% traditional bitter, Blighty, a 4.5% citrus infused IPA, Proper Grafter, a 5.7% stout with a chocolatey aftertaste, Light Brigade, a 4.0% pale ale, Walter, a 4.2% malty golden ale and Wellington, a 3.8% NZPA. The beers are available in bottles from the brewery and are starting to appear in free trade outlets in the local area. There is a small taproom within the brewery, but this is only open for special events and they are looking to open a bar in Chorley town centre.

Withnell’s Brewery moved to Chorley in 2019, with plans to open a tap room in the brewery as soon as possible. This eventually happened in the summer of 2021, and the ARTISAN ALE HOUSE is a fine addition to the Chorley scene, with seven handpumps

dispensing a range of their own beers plus a couple of guests and a cider. In addition there are a further 9 keg taps serving a mixture of craft ales and lagers. This is a comfortable bar, which is open from Thursday – Sunday only and is proving deservedly popular. Just round the corner, the ALE STATION has added some extra lines, so there are now 9 handpumps on the bar. Not all of these are in use at present, but the capacity is there when demand increases. There has also been some minor changes to the layout, enabling the drinking area to be extended a little at the rear.

On the subject of increased capacity, the SHEPHERDS’ HALL ALE HOUSE has grown significantly with the acquisition of the adjacent unit (formerly a hairdressing salon). At the time of writing, building work is still ongoing, but we expect it to be fully open by the time you read this. In a similar vein, the SHED has added the adjacent unit, which is known as the GARDEN and has more of a cafe bar feel to it. I haven’t managed to visit yet, but the reports are favourable.

There are currently three new ventures in the pipeline in the town centre – all within a few yards of each other. An empty unit on Market Place (almost opposite the Bob Inn) is earmarked for the home of BEN’S BREWERY TAP (see above), while just round the corner on Cleveland Street is the proposed home of RILEY’S TAPROOM & WINE BAR. Both of these are at the planning and licence application stage, so we should have more news next time round. The third new outlet is CLARKE’S SIBIN, which will be in the former Age Concern shop at the bottom end of Chapel Street. Work is further ahead on this one, with the bar built and a couple of handpumps installed. Hopefully there will be more concrete news in the next issue.

While on the subject of the market, we need to mention “1498 @ the Markets”. This is Chorley Council’s masterplan for a foodhall within the covered market, with an indoor seating area which can be used by all the food and drink stalls. While this is a great idea on paper, there is plenty of uncertainty over what this will actually involve. The BOB INN is part of the plan, but so far they have been faced with a (proposed) massive increase in rent and the possibility of having to relocate within the building (with the cost and upheaval that this would entail). Given the disruption to trading over the last 18 months, this is the last thing they need. Initially scheduled to be completed this autumn, the plans have been postponed while further discussions with traders take place.

There are two new bars that have opened on Market Street in the past year. NO. 61 CRAFT CASK PIZZA is a bar/restaurant serving pizza and selling a range of ales, mainly craft but with one or two cask ales available. A short distance away is PANCHE LOUNGE, a cocktail bar and lounge, which sadly does not serve any real ale. I’m not sure just how many pubs and bars a small town like Chorley can support. Unless they are able to attract more customers into town, then they are going to be fighting each other for their share of the trade. Meanwhile we can only hope that this drives quality upwards and enjoy the situation while it lasts.

Finally, we have an established pub with a new name. Trader Jacks has morphed into TRADERS TAPHOUSE, following an extensive makeover and a change of licensee. This is a pub that has flirted with real ale in recent years, without ever being able to make it work. On opening night, there were three handpumps in action and the quality was good even if the selection of ales on offer was not particularly exciting. Sadly, on a visit a few months later, there was only one pump in use – which just goes to highlight how difficult it is to introduce real ale into a pub that doesn’t have an existing customer base who drink the

stuff, and where there are limits on what can be sold. It would be a shame if real ale is withdrawn here, as the refurbishment has produced a smart pub, with plenty of potential and friendly faces behind the bar.

Moving out of Chorley into the surrounding villages, we come to two pubs that have had their struggles of late and have been taken over by the same individual. Paul Bowker initially took on the EUXTON MILLS and revived it’s fortunes. Next in line was the ALISON ARMS out beyond Coppull. There had been rumours that the car park here had been sold off for housing, but these appear unfounded and the pub has reopened. As far as the beers available are concerned, both pubs sell Timothy Taylor’s Landlord supplemented by one or two guest ales, usually from major breweries. For a short period, the TOP LOCK at Heapey was also added to the portfolio. This was once one of the finest real ale pubs in the branch, but of late has been very much a food venue. However, we have just learned that the pub has once again closed, due to a combination of reduced trade and unsustainable rent and other costs. We can only hope that someone else takes an interest here, as given its location, this should be a thriving pub.

There has been a change of licensee at the BLACK HORSE at Limbrick. This fine old pub was closed for a while, and given its rather remote location, there were fears that it might not reopen. However a recent driveby revealed building work going on and I’m happy to report that it has now reopened.

Some sad news from the RED HERRING in Coppull. Long term licensee Big Ste has been forced to retire after some serious health problems, although the pub will continue to be run by his wife and daughter. For many years this pub was the main real ale outlet in Coppull, all down to Ste’s enthusiasm and efforts. We wish him well.

In Adlington, we have exciting news of another micropub that should be open by the time you read this. The OLD POST OFFICE is situated on the top road, on the opposite side to the former Ridgeway pub (now Tescos) and building work is already well underway. We understand this is a joint venture between the MV Pub Group (who already have JR’s Ale House on the bottom road) and Escape Brewery of Westhoughton. Their Facebook page promises 6 handpumps serving Escape Brewery beers and occasional guest ales as well as a selection of craft beers.

There was a change of licensee in the short gap between the first and second lockdown at the RED LION in Wheelton village. The new man behind the bar is Richard Roberts, and although this is his first venture in the trade, he has taken to it like the proverbial duck to water. Not that his initiation has been a straightforward one as shortly after taking over, the pub was flooded. They were quickly back in business although the first evening with candlelight, beer from jugs and an honesty box was a novel experience. During the second lockdown, some much needed work was done on the pub, with a full redecoration inside, and new windows, signage and paintwork outside. The stone lion above the roof line is now painted a glorious red (what else?) and looks quite magnificent. These improvements, coupled with the hard work and enthusiasm of Richard and his team has turned this pub into a vibrant local, and it is good to see the villagers using the pub in greater numbers than they have done for years.

It’s not all good news of course and there have been a few casualties over the last 18 months, all in Chorley. The EAGLE on the A6 was already closed when lockdown happened, and has now been turned into flats. The CUCKOO’S NEST on Market Street was already on its third incarnation, but either due to being just too small or being in the wrong location, this also closed and has been converted into a nail bar. The LITTLE INN ON THE PARK in Astley Village was a short-lived micropub experiment (without real ale) that didn’t last. Finally, on Eaves Lane, the BRETHERTON ARMS has been closed for some months following a disturbance and complaints from the police. The pub is boarded up and it would be a brave man who placed a bet on it reopening.

ADRIAN SMITH