Chorley Chatter

In the main, it is more good news from the Chorley area in this issue of Ale Cry. Over the St George’s Day weekend, we held the first Chorley Pub Festival, with 14 pubs working together to provide 4 days with the widest possible selection of real ales. A good number of beers (and breweries) not normally seen in the town were available. The BOB INN even had a temporary bar within the market hall with 5 additional handpumps. The weather was good with plenty of sunshine and the town was really busy with loads of visitors. Most of the pubs involved reported having a really good weekend, with one or two close to running out of beer. Hopefully this is something that we can repeat again next year, maybe making it a fixture in the calendar much like Chorley Live in October.

In issue 128, we announced the opening of RILEY’S TAPROOM, which proved popular despite the lack of cask beers although a number of the craft beers available were real, just served from membrane kegs. In early April a couple of handpumps appeared and there are now 2 changing cask ales to add to the interesting selection of craft beers. The first week saw beers from Rivington and Cloudwater on the bar, and subsequent offerings have been similarly varied. Coupled with sensible pricing for a rather smart outlet, this pub has proved an instant success.

Shortly before issue 128 went to press, BEN’S TAP & BOTTLESHOP opened on Market Place. There are 6 cask beers on offer, mainly from their own range but also with guest ales from a variety of breweries. With a further 10 craft ales/lagers on offer along with loads of bottles and cans, this is a welcome addition to the (already vibrant) town scene. Details of the keg line-up can be found on a board to the left of the bar, and a smart electronic display lists all the cans, although with 9 pages to go through, it takes a while – so ideal to have a pint in hand while waiting. Fans of real cider are also catered for with Cornish Orchards, a regular on keg plus a changing selection of bag-in-box varieties as well. Third of a pint glasses are available for people wanting to try a variety of the draught products. The bar interior is decorated in stripped down pallet wood, with an interesting mix of seating. There is a further small seating area upstairs and a small rooftop terrace. The views from here are not exactly spectacular (unless you are a fan of rooftops), but it makes a great secluded suntrap for the days when the weather gods are smiling. The council have also allowed a small amount of outdoor seating in Market Place. Food is not available but drinkers are welcome to bring their own – and there is plenty of takeaway food available from the market. Prices are very reasonable and with the pub situated roughly halfway between Riley’s and the Bob Inn, this is one of the shortest (and best) mini pub crawls in the area.

At a time when sales of cask ale are suffering in some pubs, it is good to be able to report outlets that are actually putting real ale in. The Greene King owned HARTWOOD HALL has started serving Greene King IPA, while CHORLEY GOLF CLUB at Heath Charnock has had Timothy Taylor’s Landlord on the bar.

In Higher Wheelton, the Thwaites owned GOLDEN LION has reopened after a period of closure and is run by the MV Pub Group who have a number of other pubs in the area. Opening day saw three Thwaites ales on sale, Amber, Gold and Mellor Mango (a seasonal golden ale at 3.8%). Let us hope that it has more predictable opening hours than under the previous tenants, when opening times were a bit of a lottery. The new operators plan to open at noon every day, through until midnight or slightly later at weekends. Food will be served until 8pm daily. At a time when Thwaites pubs are closing across the branch, it is good to see someone else giving this one a go. We hope they are successful.

A short distance away, the TOP LOCK remains closed. However, we are aware that a well known local licensee is in advanced talks with Star Inns, and is confident that a deal can be concluded swiftly. Given this individual’s passion for real ale, this is great news and we hope that this pub reopens before too long.

Just up the road in Withnell a new outlet, the VIEW BAR & BISTRO has opened at the Oak Royal Golf Club. It offers a “relaxed dining atmosphere or somewhere to enjoy a drink and take in the view”. It looks like they have one real ale on, which appropriately enough seems to be from Withnell’s brewery. Down in Adlington, the OLD POST OFFICE has increased opening hours and a beer garden has been added which gives pleasant views into the adjoining park.

Of course, it’s not all good news, with several pubs closed and seemingly gone for good. The SEVEN STARS on Eaves Lane in Chorley has been sold and planning permission sought to convert the pub into residential use. The PARKERS ARMS (Chorley) has finally been demolished and planning permission has also been sought to change the ROBIN HOOD at Mawdesley into housing. None of this is particularly surprising, the phrase ‘Location, Location, Location’ applies as much to pubs as anything else, and these pubs were just in the wrong position. ADRIAN SMITH