After more than 10 years at the helm, Kent Winrow has stepped down as landlord at this popular pub in New Springs on the outskirts of Wigan. He has been replaced by local residents, Lynn and Steve Salter. Thankfully, they aim to keep it as a traditional pub serving cask ale.

For more, see https://bit.ly/2PuKgnW

Posthouse, which is next to the post office on Orrell Road but actually takes its name from the Orrell Post crossroads and its nearby monument, is a craft beer and gin bar created by company Hop and Fizz.

Ashton-born Dan Osborne is behind the bar as manager after a career including working at a convention centre in Dublin and in Liverpool restaurants.

For more, see https://bit.ly/2UXLApm

Publican, a local Wigan company, has purchased The Crown at Worthington and plans to open it once more as a pub, restaurant and small hotel more than two years after it closed its doors.

The Crown closed in early 2016 and plans were initially submitted to the council for a housing development to go there. That prompted a public outcry, with a residents’ group called ‘Save The Crown’ being formed to block the plans.

Over the years, The Crown has won multiple CAMRA awards culminating in being the Greater Manchester Pub of the Year in 2009 and subsequently a finalist in CAMRA’s National Pub of the Year.

For more, see https://bit.ly/2PuK4oI

John Brierley, new owner of the town’s historic Swan and Railway pub, has confirmed that work is due to commence to restore the pub to its former glory.

Having purchased the pub from Marstons, John’s plans for the pub include 7 handpumps with three of those dedicated to cask beers from local breweries. However, John would not be drawn on a possible re-opening date.

For more, see https://bit.ly/2L8LDtZ

Pub giant Marston’s has thrown the doors of the popular boozer The Poacher in Winstanley open once more with a venue for Wiganers to eat and drink.

Meanwhile one of the arches beneath Wigan North Western station has been turned into Hideout, a modern cafe-bar specialising in quality wines and gins.

For more, see https://bit.ly/2UFyeJy

After a soft-opening the night before, Sherrington’s Bar on Kenyon Road in Wigan was scheduled to open it’s doors to the public at 5pm on Friday, September 28th. However, due to the exceptional good weather, they opened earlier than planned (at 11.30am) so that customers could take advantage of the outdoor terrace. This fabulous new bar offers 6 cask ales on handpull and 10 keg beer fonts. Three cask ales were locally-sourced from the Wily Fox brewery whilst the three guest beers all came from excellent breweries – Brewsmith, Siren and Neptune. Typical pricing – from £3.40 per pint for Wily Fox ales.

Sherrington’s becomes the latest addition to the burgeoning Wigan beer scene – last month saw the addition of the Hop House at the John Bull Chop House and next month sees the opening of Real Ale Revolution in Winstanley. Beer drinkers in Wigan have never had it so good!!

The Boathouse Pub and Kitchen, in Appley Bridge, will pour its last pints and serve its last plates this Sunday, September 30, after brothers Jonathan and Grant Ainsworth made the tough decision to say goodbye to the borough after four successful years. The twins opened the canal-side venue in 2014, taking over the former Water’s Edge site. It is not known whether the property owners, Star Pubs and Bars, were looking for new tenants. For more, see https://bit.ly/2DAEqzk

From next week, the Cherry Gardens on Wigan Lane becomes free of tie on cask ales. Subsequently, they will be reviewing their prices and are anticipating a price drop of around 30-40p a pint bring their prices down to the £2.60-£2.90 region. Some welcome news for beer drinkers. The Cherry Gardens are keen to hear from suppliers who may be able to offer competitive rates on their products. It would be particularly useful if beer could be supplied in 36-pint pins.

The opening date of the much anticipated Real Ale Revolution Bar in Winstanley has been set as Thursday 25 October at 12pm. The bar will have 10 keg beers, 8 cask ales, 8 real ciders lots of world bottle beers, alcohol free drinks and quality shorts. The bar has disabled toilets, Sky sports, BT sports and air-conditioning and will be open 7 days a week.