Continuing with the Pub survey socials the April social will begin in Bolton town centre before getting the bus to Farnworth and then back to Bolton to finish off the day. There are many other pubs within the Bolton area that we will try to visit over the next year.
The group will meet at 13.00 at the Greyhound before visiting the Hen and Chickens. Walk to the Bus Station and catch the 36 bus to Farnworth (approx. every 12 minutes) to visit the Kings Arms. After visiting Farnworth catch bus back to Bolton to visit some more pubs for survey.
Greyhound, 146 Deansgate, BL1 1BB. 3 changing ales
Old Three Crowns, 14 Deansgate, BL1 1BR. 1 regular Theakstons Old Peculiar, 2 changing
Northern Monkey has a York Brew take over with 6 keg lines the weekend of 22-24th if anyone wants to finish off the day with some keg.
If you need any further details, please contact social@bolton.camra.org.uk or call Gill on 07967585670. If you arrive after the start of the social, please contact Gill to find out where the group are at that time.
Travel to Wigan by bus or train depending on which is easiest We will meet in Wigan Central at around 13.00 for a beer or two before visiting some, or all, of the pubs listed below. If catching the train from Bolton Station trains leave at 12.14 or 12.36 arriving 12.31 and 12.53 respectively (off peak return fare £5.90). Please check train times before leaving as some services are being cancelled due to lack of staff. Catch the 575 bus from Bolton at 11.30 (11.45) calling at the Crown, Horwich at 11.57 (12.12) arriving in Wigan at 12.33 (12.48) Later bus in brackets
Wigan Central, Arch No. 1 and 2, Queen Street, WN3 4DY. 6 changing ales
The Raven, 5 Wallgate, WN1 1LD. 4 changing ales; food available
Sherringtons, 57 Kenyon Road, WN1 2DU. 6 changing ales; A short walk out of town but well worth a visit
Doc’s Alehouse, 85 Mesnes Street, WN1 1QJ (Formally Docs Symposium now under new ownership) 4 changing ales
There are plenty of other pubs in Wigan so this list is just suggestions. If your favourite is not on the list let us know on the day and we can visit. If you need any further details please contact social@bolton.camra.org.uk or call Gill on 07967585670. If you arrive after the start of the social please contact Gill to find out where the group are at that time.
Meet at 1.00pm at the Crown on Chapel Street, Chorley. Pubs to visit will include those listed below. It is always a good afternoon out in Chorley. Trains and buses run regularly from Bolton but please check on the times of the Christmas services for both train and bus.
The Horwich Beer Walk will begin at the Bank Top Ale House. Meeting at 1.00pm. The walk will continue by visiting the following pubs. Anyone not wanting the walk from the Ale House to the other pubs can catch the 125 bus which stops outside the Ale House. Any one that wants a diversion can walk to JR’s Ale House on Chorley New Road and meet up with us again later
If you need more information email social@bolton.camra.org.uk or if you can’t make the start and want to catch up with us, please call Gill on 07967585670.
Our first social since lockdown started last year. This time we are visiting Bolton to support our local pubs instead of going further afield. The plan is to meet at 12.00 at our first venue, The Vaults. Pubs to be visited are as follows:
We can expect good quality cask ales from all pubs mentioned.
It would be good if we have an idea of the number of people joining the social. If you are planning to attend can you please either text me on 07967 585670 or drop me an email on social@bolton.camra.org.uk
The Pubs APPG is a group of MPs from across parliament, and our goal is to promote and campaign for the interests of pubs, landlords and the communities around these pubs both in Westminster and beyond.
Today, with the support of CAMRA, we’re launching an Inquiry.
We want to listen to you and make recommendations to the Government about the best ways to support pubs in the coming months.
I want to ask you to take part and make your voice heard. You can get involved on our website by taking a short survey, just click on the link here.
These are the Branch pubs which we understand have reopened for outdoor-service since 12th April. This information is our best knowledge but we can’t guarantee it is correct. Please check opening times and booking arrangements before you go. Be aware that you need to check in or sign in for test and trace so please be prepared and be patient with bar staff.
Please keep us informed of other reopened pubs at pubs@bolton.camra.org.uk If you do visit a pub try to order a fresh cask beer if available and give it a score on whatpub.com
Alma Inn Barristers/Swan Hen & Chickens York Northern Monkey (from Friday) Victoria Inn (Fanny’s), Markland Hill Bob’s Smithy Inn (from Friday) Beaumont Arms, Ladybridge Waggon & Horses, Westhoughton White Lion, Westhoughton Robert Shaw, Westhoughton Cherry Tree, Blackrod Goose & Gander, Blackrod Red Lion, Blackrod Poacher, Blackrod Beeley’s, Horwich Original Bay Horse, Horwich Blundell Arms, Horwich Jolly Crofters, Horwich Brewery Bar, Horwich Tails and Ale, Horwich (from Saturday) Wayoh Brewing Co, Horwich Crofters, Bradshaw Railway, Bromley Cross Nook & Cranny, Bromley Cross Spread Eagle, Bromley Cross White Horse, Harwood The Thomas Egerton Mosley Arms, Breightmet Britannia, Farnworth Market St Tavern, Stoneclough Grapes, Stoneclough Kearsley & Ringley Conservative Club (members only) Horseshoe, Ringley Unity Brook Inn, Kearsley Wilton Arms, Belmont
To celebrate, CAMRA wants to recognise 50 people, groups of people or businesses that have made a significant contribution to CAMRA’s aims.
Do you know any person or business you think worthy of a nomination? These do not need to be CAMRA members, but anyone who in the past 50 years has gone above and beyond to further the aims of CAMRA. It could be a publican, brewer/producer, pub/club champion, or a campaigner for beer, cider or perry for example.
Responding to the new national lockdown in England and the announcement for grants of up to £9,000 for hospitality businesses, CAMRA Chairman Nik Antona said:
“The national lockdown is yet another devastating blow for an already struggling industry, which follows hot on the heels of nearly a year of restrictions, curfews and forced closures.
“It is clear now more than ever that the Government must introduce a new, long-term and sector-specific financial support package to help these businesses survive the coming months. While one-off grant support is welcome, it is nowhere near enough to cover the haemorrhaging costs for pubs and breweries that don’t see any end in sight.
“What is particularly concerning in the latest announcement has been the confusion around whether pubs will be able to operate on a level playing field with supermarkets and off licences during this lockdown – as they have been able to previously. Takeaway sales, in sealed containers, for people to take home, were a real lifeline for the trade in previous lockdowns and restricting that route to market now would be a death knell for many pubs. This will once again provide an unfair advantage to supermarkets and off-licenses that don’t face similar restrictions.
“The Government must recognise that local pubs are a force for good and play an important role in bringing people together, tackling loneliness and social isolation, and supporting their local communities. When this nightmare is over, they will be vital to the nation’s healing process – so long as they are still standing.
“A new, dedicated and decent financial support package must reach our pubs and breweries quickly to save them from permanent closure and help hard-working licensees through this incredibly difficult time.”
Ends
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This morning (5th January 2021), we’ve written to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to seek urgent clarification and assurances for licensees that they will able to operate on a level playing field during the latest lockdown in England, and to ask that brewers and cider makers also receive grant support. Read the letter below:
Dear Mr Sharma,
I am writing from CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, to seek urgent clarification and assurances for consumers and licensees across England that pubs and social clubs will be able to operate on a level playing field with supermarkets and off-licences during this latest lockdown.
This lockdown is necessary, and everyone must do what they can to stop the spread of Coronavirus. Publicans in England are ready to do this, as they have done twice before, and will continue to help the local response in their communities.
However, pubs and hospitality venues must be allowed to operate on a level playing field with supermarkets and off-licences. Just a few months ago, the Government made temporary alterations to premises licences, allowing pubs to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises, on a level playing field with supermarkets and off-licences. This move was welcomed by industry groups and consumers and was touted by Government at the time to allow some trade to continue.
The latest regulations and guidance appear to restrict pubs from selling any alcohol, except through delivery services, which is not a viable option for most licensees. This is grossly unfair and the latest in a series of measures that have restricted hospitality businesses, while handing an advantage to large supermarkets at the expenses of small, community businesses.
Please urgently clarify that hospitality businesses will be able to operate as off-licences, on a level playing field with supermarkets, selling alcohol in sealed containers for consumers to take home.
Underlying all of this is the need for an adequate, dedicated financial support package that must reach publicans, and brewers and other supply chain producers, as soon as possible.
One-off grant support announced this morning is welcome, but with hospitality businesses facing an indefinite closure period, this will not provide the certainty of adequate ongoing support to safeguard businesses and jobs. It is also unclear as to whether brewers and cider producers will be able to access the funding – please urge Department and Treasury colleagues to confirm that they will as soon as possible. As well as grant funding, the support package must include an extension of the VAT cut to include alcoholic drinks to support wet-led pubs, and it is essential that the business rates holiday for all hospitality businesses is continued for 2021/2022.
Pubs and social clubs will be a central part of the recovery from the pandemic – both for the mental and social wellbeing of communities and for the economy, but this will not happen if hardworking licensees cannot afford to open their doors again on the other side of this lockdown, whenever that may be.
As always, CAMRA, our members and beer and pub lovers across the UK want to support our community pubs, social clubs and the wider hospitality sector when it can reopen again.
Please ensure that licensees are treated fairly, and that a proper business support package is in place so that everyone will have a local to return to when it is safe to do so.
