Chorley Chatter

You’d be forgiven for thinking with the long-lasting effects of Covid and the cost-of-living crisis that there would be more doom and gloom to report this issue, but I’m glad to say that here in Chorley, we’re having none of that.

Firstly, our congratulations go to the recipients of the Three Best Rated Pubs 2022 award for Chorley, which went to the DRESSERS ARMS (Wheelton), SEA VIEW (Whittle-le-Woods) and BLACK HORSE (Limbrick). Details of the selection process and criteria can be found at https:// threebestrated.co.uk/50-point-inspection

Sadly, there has been a closure during the last few months with Lost Bar on Fazakerley Street closing at the end of November. The premises’ future remains uncertain but if anyone hears any news please get in touch.

December saw the opening of SPEAKEASY in the old Withnell Brewery the home of Cakes by Ruth (see page 11 for further details).

In January 2022, Chorley became home to another brewery, Twisted Wheel. The original Twisted Wheel Brewery was set up in Standish before moving to much larger premises in Warrington. Despite having forged a reputation for producing quality ales, the brewery fell victim of the economic crisis and closed in December 2022. Their head brewer, Anthony Barrett, has joined forces with Ben Haydock (of Ben’s Brewery) to set up the ‘new’ Twisted Wheel, with the rights to use the brand and the recipes (which Anthony developed). Brewing has commenced on a ‘cuckoo’ basis using the existing plant at Ben’s. This is much smaller than Anthony is used to but it keeps the brand alive. Some additional fermenting vessels have been purchased to increase capacity and the latest version of Twisted Wheel beers have started appearing around the area.

The last issue saw us celebrate a number of the pubs listed in the 2023 Good Beer Guide (GBG), and in some cases, ones that had reached significant milestones for consecutive years in the guide. However, this is just part of the story, and I thought it only right to recognise the contribution of other pubs to the town’s current success.

Since that time, it has deservedly appeared in the guide on 30 separate occasions and under current landlord John Grainger, it has been awarded a number of CAMRA awards, most notably the Central Lancashire and Lancashire CAMRA Pub of the Year. They serve nine ales on handpump, and it has now been in the GBG for the last 7 years. It was also the runner-up in the 2023 branch Pub of the Year competition.

These days Chorley is without doubt one of the top cask ale destinations in the northwest, attracting large numbers of visitors from across Lancashire and around the country; its reputation continues to grow, as does its stock of good pubs. However, this premises. This is the reincarnation of Brendan Ferguson’s original Speakeasy Bar, which was opened in December 2016 on Chapel Street, premises now the home of Nelipots. Initial opening times will be limited to the weekend (Fri–Sun), two handpumps for cask ale adorn the bar and a street food offering is planned once the kitchen has been completed.

Many may have noticed a ‘For Sale’ sign at the front of Brendan’s micropub, BOOTLEGGERS on Bolton Street, but rest-assured, this is the just the owners selling the building and does not affect the business.

JR’s Ale House in Adlington saw a change of management late in 2022 and under its new name, ‘INN THE DOG HOUSE’ is reported to be doing well with a reduced range of cask ales but good beer quality reported.

BAAA 38 is Chorley’s latest new pub and has opened at No.38 Market Street, once

Chorley has always had its fair share of pubs, but as you’d expect, in years gone by those gracing the pages of the GBG tended to be traditional pubs rather than micros and were far fewer in number compared to other parts of the branch area. Back in 1974 the FLAT IRON (then Market Tavern) and SAM’S BAR (the Wagonmaker’s Arms) were the sole entrants from Chorley. These days you can expect to find at least half a dozen of our pubs in the guide, but things didn’t really start to improve until the arrival of the MALT ‘N’ HOPS in 1989.

This was one of the town’s first “new pubs”, where the premises had previously has not been achieved overnight; it comes down to the sheer hard work, vision and determination of the landlords and their staff, and the very significant support of the local council under leader Alistair Bradley, who continue to support local businesses, strive to encourage more footfall into the centre and have even provided financial support for production of the latest CAMRA Ale Trails you see around town today.

The Malt ‘n’ Hops certainly set the scene, but over the last decade, the arrival of four other cask ale venues in Chorley have set firm foundations for the town’s development. As you may expect, they are all free houses providing a wide selection been used for other retail use and was then converted into a pub; not exactly a micropub, but it followed a blueprint that has more recently become the norm where new pubs are concerned. It had a strong focus on cask ale from the outset and by 1991 had been selected for inclusion in GBG. of excellent cask-conditioned ales sourced both locally and nationally. They are an eclectic mix, each venue having its own identity, being family-run and dogfriendly; together they attract and cater for a large variety of clientele, which has been key to the town’s attraction.

First to arrive on the scene in August 2014 was the Shepherds’ Hall Ale House (now SHEPHERDS’ HALL ALE HOUSE & VICTORIA ROOMS) located in one of Chorley’s truly historic buildings. Initially a small beer house converted from previous retail use as a newsagent, this quickly became a regular haunt for many ale drinkers in the town and expansion in December 2021 into the adjacent premises has seen it go from strength to strength, with nine cask ales now available. They celebrated 8 consecutive years in the GBG this year.

Second on the scene was the BOB INN in October 2014, the first bar housed in the market and the smallest pub in the branch area. This quirky ale house has opening times to mirror the market and is always a hive of activity…no music or games machines here, just good old-fashioned banter with three everchanging cask beers served, sourced from smaller breweries. Landlord Steve Cooney celebrated 7 consecutive years in the GBG this year.

As new development began to gather pace in the town 2016 saw the ALE STATION opening on Chapel Street in what was once Parky’s Sandwich Bar. Located near both the bus and train stations this is a great place to while away an hour or so. Train times are displayed on a constantly updated digital display and up to nine ales are served with a focus on traditional English bitters. Landlord Mick Barker celebrated 6 consecutive years in the GBG this year.

The final piece in the puzzle is the MASONS ARMS on Harpers Lane. This pub stands out for a number of reasons, both in terms of its location, about a mile out of the town centre and the fact that prior to its modernisation and reopening in 2017 it had never been in the GBG or served cask ale for as long as anyone could remember. Landlord Nick Reid is a keen cask ale fan and brought a great selection of regularly changing cask ales to the existing offering in what is now a fabulous pub serving the local community and a destination for real ale fans where you’re always assured a warm welcome. Nick celebrated 5 consecutive years in the GBG this year.

A quick trip round these pubs in January revealed a total of 31 different beers on offer from 22 breweries, sourced almost entirely from the north of England. These are five great pubs that have formed the bedrock of the cask ale scene in Chorley over recent years, although there is certainly no room for complacency, as there are many other genuine contenders knocking on the door…the future is certainly bright!

RICHARD LANGFORD