Preston Parade

It has been a long time since we last had a chance to let you know what has been going on in Preston. The last Ale Cry came out in March 2020, so what have we gained and what have we lost in that time? Well, we seem to have survived the pandemic quite well, with relatively few pubs permanently closed, and quite a few new bars opening.

FISHERS, on Church Street seems to have gone, it never reopened after lockdown ended and while it had not sold real ale for a while, it is another one lost. Apart from that, nothing else has closed completely in the centre, but there are pubs and bars where real ale was once available, who seemingly have given up and it will not feature. YATES, near Fishers is being refurbished yet again and will reopen as a “Slug and Lettuce”, a brand that does not usually bother with real ale. What is more surprising is what has happened to the ADELPHI pub, slap bang in the centre

of the “University” district. It has had a massive makeover, with £350,000 spent on it, yet there is no place for real ale. Painted in a blue hue with a mural on one wall, they must imagine students will be attracted to it. Real ale drinkers need not despair, for there is plenty to attract them to this area, both in existing pubs and new micropubs that have and will appear in proximity to the Uni.

Besides the VINYL TAP, just up Adelphi St. and the GUILD pub on Fylde road, both of which sell a changing range of guest beers, there is, on the corner of Moor Lane a former bank that, if all things go to plan will open as a new bar, BIER BOX. This will be a sister pub to Beer Box in Bamber Bridge, with a more continental feel, and when it comes to fruition, it will hopefully show the Adelphi what they are missing out on.

Not a hundred yards away, up Friargate is the latest addition to the real ale scene in Preston, the FRIARGATE TAP ROOM. Opened by the same people who have the Tulketh Tap Room (more of which later), it is under the supervision of bar manager Alys, who knows her stuff and is keen on real ale. Three cask beers are on sale and they are ever changing. Alys wants to have a variety of different beers appearing. The micropub has a modern feel and is open 2–11 Mon–Wed. Other days it opens at noon, closing at 11.30 on Thurs, 10pm Sun and 1am Fri and Sat. No food is served, but you are welcome to bring your own food in. Dog friendly, there is ample seating and even a small outside drinking area to the rear. Sky Sports live football is shown on unobtrusive TV’s.

In our last issue 18 months ago we mentioned three microbars that were then in the planning stages and where we had little idea what they would be like. They have all now opened, so we have had a chance to go and investigate.

The TULKETH TAP ROOM, at the junction at Lane Ends, sells four changing cask ales, has outside decking to the front and a beer garden to the rear. Inside is a mixture of upholstered and high chairs. Mon–Wed it is open 2–11, otherwise it opens at midday till eleven and 10 on Sundays. It can get busy at times. The other micro in this area is the TAP END, on Blackpool Rd. just along from the Lane Ends pub. This is a more low key bar where the aura is one of conversation, deliberately so, making it a good meeting place for locals and strangers alike. Dark wood and metal with subdued lighting adds to the overall effect. Currently with 3 handpumps dispensing a variety of ales, this could increase as business builds after the pandemic is over. It opens at 4pm Mon–Fri, Midday at weekends, closing at 9 Mon–Thurs, 10pm Fri–Sat, and 9 Sun. The third micro we told you about finally opened in July 2020. It is the CRAFTY BEGGARS, up Garstang Road, almost opposite the Black

Bull. Its aim was to provide a traditional small pub atmosphere, selling mainly cask ales from the north west area, plus craft ales and fine wines. There are four changing guest ales on sale and with a capacity for 50 people, it is one of the branch’s larger micros. It opens 2–11 Mon through Thurs, also Sunday, and at noon–11pm Fri and Sat.

Good news at the BLACK HORSE in town, where Landlord Dan has negotiated a deal with Robinsons that means he can now source his guest beers from wherever he wants and is no longer tied to the Titanic list. He will still be getting the ever popular Plum Porter, but you should see a wider range of guests on the bar, which means you could have a choice of nine real ales on sale, including the regular Robinsons’ beers. A blackboard listing the beers on sale and prices is now displayed on the wall where the stairs go up. As always, this pub is well worth the visit.

The latest on the PLUNGINGTON HOTEL on Lytham Rd. is that Admiral Taverns, having lost Jeremy from the Continental as leaseholder, have been at a loss to know what to do with the pub, but locals, fearing the worst, have set up the Plungy Community action group. They have successfully applied to the council to get the premises listed as an asset of community value with the aim of making it a community owned pub. If you are interested in investing in this project or joining their steering committee, please contact Luke Breen on lbreen85@gmail.com

Another new bar has recently opened on Friargate, next to The Greyfriar. LUTHERS is set over three floors with a restaurant and radio station planned. Initial news is that no real ale is on sale. Two other ‘new’ bars that opened during our absence are SMASHED in Miller Arcade and NIKO on Guildhall Street. Neither of these serve any cask ale, although the latter has a decent selection of craft beers and some real cider, and is proving so popular that they have applied to extend into the first floor of the premises.

We understand that Chainhouse Brewery intend to open a tap on Market Street close to the Market Street Social that operates from the rear of the Plau on Friargate. More good news is that there is work going on at a premises opposite the Miller Arcade on Church Street with the intention of opening as HOPWOOD’S TAP HOUSE, possibly before Christmas. Handpumps have been seen being installed, and early pictures suggest a sizeable cellar and/or underground seating. Something else to look forward to and we will let you have a full report in the next issue.

Just prior to going to press, we heard of a change of tenant at the WELLINGTON (Glovers Court), after former boss Andy Macdonald finally gave up his fight with Preston Council after a spate of complaints about noise. Apparently most complaints came from residents of a newly opened flats’ development opposite who were surprised to find that noise is generated in a busy pub that has been there for over 100 years. You would think that anyone investing in a new flat would check out the local area before parting with any money. Jordan Ebbs is the new man in charge and he plans to reopen during November as a restaurant during the day and a pub by night. Let’s hope it goes well but that he doesn’t forget that the pub bit is important as well.

So all in all, we look to have have come out of it on the plus side. PAUL RILEY

Masons Arms

Most Improved Pub of the Year 2018

· 4 rooms · 2 bars · 5 rotating cask ales · Gin and wine bar · Ciders, lagers and spirits · Open everyday · Free wifi · Sky, BT & Racing · Dog friendly · Family friendly

98 HARPERS LANE, CHORLEY PR6 0HU

Home Made Pizza 5–9pm, Tue–Sun

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