South Ribble Scene

This being the first Ale Cry since Spring 2020, there is a lot of ground to cover in this South Ribble Scene as we look back over the past 18 months. During this time South Ribble has seen the appearance of some new bars, the demise of some once popular old pubs, while there have also been extended periods of closure for other pubs and bars in the area.

First the newcomers. By my estimate South Ribble has gained five new drinking establishments since the last Ale Cry was produced. All five can probably be described as micropubs, and all are housed in premises that were previously used for other purposes.

In the last Ale Cry I heralded the opening of NO. 16 – ON THE HILL, the third of three new bars in close proximity in Penwortham. Located at the corner of Liverpool Road and Priory Lane, the No. 16 opened in March 2020, in premises that were previously occupied by the now re-located Bread & Butter people. Unfortunately within a week of the official

opening, the No. 16 was obliged to close as the first Covid lockdown was enforced. During the Summer of 2020 it did get to re-open for a few more weeks, but it is only since April this year that it has been able to enjoy a prolonged period of opening. The bar has three handpumps, with beers from Cross Bay and Farm Yard Ales being available on a recent visit.

In August 2020 Leyland got a new bar with the NO. 55 opening on Hough Lane, in premises that were previously occupied by the Leyland Historical Society. Described as a ‘wine and beer bar’, unfortunately it has not been selling any cask conditioned beers. Into 2021, and in April, shortly after the easing of restrictions after the second lockdown, Leyland got another new bar, with the ROUNDABOUT BAR opening at the bottom of Chapel Brow. Housed in a former gentlemen’s barber shop, again this would appear to be a bar of little interest for real ale drinkers.

The following month saw two new bars open in Bamber Bridge. Both on Station Road, these were BROOKLYN’S AMERICAN BAR & DINER (in the former TSB Bank premises) and the CASUAL SIXTYNINE LOUNGE (a cocktail bar, in former charity shop premises). Again nothing in either of these bars for the real ale drinker.

As I write, there is news of another new bar soon to be opening on Station Road in Bamber Bridge. Housed in the former Lancs & Yorks pub premises, more recently occupied by Skye Aesthetics, it is understood that this bar will be open by the time this Ale Cry is produced and that it will be selling real ale.

While it is good to see that new bars have been opening, on the flip side there are a number of long established traditional pubs that may have closed their doors for the very last time. As I write I am aware of four pubs that have failed to re-open in 2021.

TH’OWD SEVEN STARS in Leyland was saved from possible demolition by the Holt Pub Company in 2018, and in the Spring 2020

Ale Cry I actually described it as ‘another busy pub’. I must have been there on one of its better days, as later in 2020 it was announced to have closed for good. In May 2021 came reports that it was to be converted into a Chinese takeaway.

THE PETERS BAR at Bamber Bridge was effectively finished as a pub with the death of popular landlord Peter Mullen in April 2020. Apparently the premises have since fallen into a state of disrepair, and it is considered as being no longer viable to run as a pub. In October 2021 there was an application submitted that it be converted into six separate apartments.

The other two pubs which have so far failed to re-open in 2021 are the SIR ROBERT PEEL at Walton-le-Dale, and the OLD LEYLAND GATES at Leyland. The Sir Robert Peel has long been a pub with an uncertain future, while the Old Leyland Gates has been the subject of rumour as to its possible future use (Ed: and given that it is owned by Greene King and occupies a large site, I don’t think there would be much surprise if it were scheduled for redevelopment as something other than a pub).

More recently there was an announcement that the ANCHOR at Hutton would be closing at the end of October. This is a pub that in its heyday was extremely busy, benefiting by being close to the Lancashire police headquarters and being a stop-off point for coach parties. In 2020 there were plans

that it would be selling beers brewed by Penwortham-based Bishop’s Crook, but with the Covid restrictions this failed to happen. A statement has been made that the pub is to be re-developed and converted to an alternate use (possibly becoming an American diner).

Although pubs have been able to re-open since April, the months since then have not been without their problems for some. The BLACK BULL in Penwortham was badly affected by floods after a downpour on July 12th. With considerable internal damage it was closed for two months, and when it did eventually re-open in September it was under new management.

A number of micropubs have also been closed for lengthy periods only to belatedly make a comeback. The GOLDEN TAP ALE HOUSE in Leyland closed in March 2020, and for over a year showed no signs of re-opening. It was good news in July 2021 when it was back in business, but since then it has had a couple more short spells of enforced closure.

As most pubs re-opened in April, the TAPS & WINE BAR in Walton-le-Dale remained closed. The pub received a boost with an application for outdoor drinking space being approved, but it was not until August that it was able to re-open. It has since had an Oktoberfest promotion, and has hosted fundraising events for Derian House.

WILKINS & PYE in Longton was to miss out on being open during the Summer months of 2021. Earlier in the year it was reported as being up for sale, but in October it did eventually re-open with a greater capacity for outdoor drinking. The BARREL & BEAN CO in Penwortham has been another to remain closed for almost the whole of 2021. With no official announcements many people thought that it may not be re-opening, but at the beginning of November it was once again back up and running. GORDON SMALL