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Historic Manchester boozer awarded CAMRA’s Pub of the Year

Blackjack Brewery taproom The Smithfield Market Tavern has been awarded CAMRA's Pub of the Year gong for 2022.

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant - 16th May 2022

A historic Manchester pub that’s been pulling pints in the city for over 160 years has been awarded 2022’s Pub of the Year by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).

Blackjack Brewery-owned pub The Smithfield Market Tavern was awarded the accolade by a public vote, decided by the Manchester CAMRA branches.

The pub had to go through several rounds to get its gong, first entering into a regional competition to select the top 16 pubs. Of those 16, four finalists were chosen before The Smithfield was was announced as the final winner at the end of last week. 

The award describes the pub as a ‘fabulous, friendly. traditional, cosy boozer’ with a ‘contemporary feel’.

Image: The Smithfield Tavern
Image: The Smithfield Tavern

It continues: “Outdoor seating for better weathers, live music on Sunday’s, fully accessible bar. Knowledgable, friendly staff and outstanding cellermanship.

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“Ever changing, wide range of cask and craft beers at reasonable prices, from Blackjack and other breweries. Traditional bar and board games. Cosy corners with comfy chairs for a read, a ponder or a natter with friends.”

Read more: Manchester’s Jewish Museum cafe wins big award in its first year

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The Smithfield Market Tavern was taken over as a Blackjack Brewery pub in 2015, but has long been an historic city centre watering hole.

Image: The Smithfield Market Tavern

Situated on the corner of Swan Street and Coop Street, it has been established as a boozer since the mid-1800s, clearly appearing on a map from 1844 as ‘The Smithfield Market Tavern’.

Over the years, its name has changed – with the building operating for a time as The Smithfield Hotel and Bar.

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As the CAMRA award acknowledges, its a great spot for local beer – stocking a range of made in Manchester beers from Blackjack itself alongside other local breweries.

It also hosts DJs on the first Friday of the month and the last Sunday of the month, as well as a monthly quiz night, darts, bar billiards, board games and books.

Read more: A retro Blockbuster-themed bar is opening in Manchester

Image: The Smithfield Market Tavern

CAMRA’s National Pub of the Year is the annual competition to find the very best pub in the UK.

CAMRA has been been highlighting the best pubs in the country since 1988, and the competition helps to showcase quality pubs around the UK that are worth seeking out and visiting.

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It’s all about finding the cream of the crop and the best place for you to enjoy a pint of real ale. Some may also have good quality real cider or perry to sample, too.

To find out more about The Smithfield Market Tavern and see its list of beers, visit the Blackjack Brewery website here.

Feature image – Geograph

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Nine arrested in multiple coordinated raids after ‘celebrating Hitler’s birthday’ in Oldham pub

Danny Jones Danny Jones Hitler birthday party neo Nazis Oldham pub

Nine arrests were made earlier this week after a group of suspected neo-Nazis were discovered celebrating Adolf Hitler’s birthday at a pub in Oldham last month.

Alarming stuff, to say the least.

The individuals in question were arrested following a series of coordinated morning raids across multiple areas of Greater Manchester, including Rochdale, Bolton, Trafford and Stockport.

Another man was taken into custody from an address in Southport, with those involved belonging to the North West arm of a far-right group known simply as ‘British Movement’.

Craft Union Pubs, who operate the establishment, said they were “absolutely appalled”. (Credit: Google Maps)

The pub in question was the Duke of Edinburgh in Royton, a town of around 21,000 people located in north Oldham; the owners, who were said to have been ‘tricked’ into allowing the celebrations, were shocked to learn the group were observing Hitler’s birthday.

Upon realising the true nature of the festivities after images were shared on social media, staff immediately reported the party to the local authorities and Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officers based in and around the borough were then made aware of the situation.

As seen online – including on British Movement Northern’s (BMN) own website – the pub were seen holding Nazi flags, SS bolts and the Iron Cross, even posting pictures eating a cake with swastika icing alongside captions which included the line, “the 136th birthday of Uncle A.”

Taking place on Wednesday morning, 7 May, several morning raids saw those present detained on suspicion of Section 18 Public Order Act offences, which relate to displaying written material which is threatening, abusive or insulting, intended to stir up racial hatred.

During the extensive operation, everything from imitation firearms to real weapons like swords and a crossbow, along with numerous other pieces of Nazi memorabilia were found. Police are still investigating the incident and searching the relevant premises in Oldham and beyond.

neo nazi party for hitlers bday in royton oldham
oldham neo nazi party swastika cake
Beyond shocking. (Credit: BMN)

GMP have been quick to contact Counter Terrorism Policing North West (CTPNW) to advise on the materials and assess further risk; for instance, following the recovery of a suspected grenade at a property in Bolton, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) was deployed and the item declared safe.

Assistant Chief Constable Steph Parker said in an official statement: “Due to the nature of the materials we recovered at the warrants today, we have liaised with colleagues at CTPNW. This is a matter of course, and it very much remains a GMP-led investigation.

“It’s important that all avenues are explored to establish the extent of the criminal offences which have been committed, and whilst our investigation is still in its early stages, we do not believe there to be a risk to the wider public.

“This group clearly has a deep fascination with ideas that we know are unsettling for communities across Greater Manchester. We must take action when concerns are raised, and where weapons are suspected, to ensure people are free to live without fear of intimidation or harm.”

Naturally, GMP are encouraging people to stay vigilant and come forward with any further information or concerns they may have.

Read more:

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Featured Images — British Movement Northern/GMP/Google Maps

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No trams to run on major Metrolink line as ‘essential’ work to repair Victorian-era tunnel starts this weekend

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant A Metrolink tram in Manchester city centre

Travel disruption is expected across the next couple of weeks as ‘essential engineering’ work begins on a major Metrolink line.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has confirmed that a reduced service will run on the Bury line this weekend, as work to replace ‘defective’ beams supporting the roof at Whitefield Tunnel means that no trams will run between Crumpsall and Bury on Saturday (10 May), or between Whitefield and Bury on Sunday (11 May).

Some weekend and overnight working is said to be ‘necessary’ to secure and protect the overhead line equipment, so that the beam replacement work can be completed as ‘safely and quickly as possible’, according to TfGM.

A crane is planned to be in use for the beam replacement work at times.

Closures on the line from this weekend come after the successful completion of preparatory work at the site, following the discovery of a defective beam.

No trams will run on a major Metrolink line as ‘essential’ work to repair Victorian-era tunnel starts this weekend / Credit: TfGM

As well as the suspension on services this weekend, as mentioned above, several other chances throughout this month and into the next on the Bury line are also to be expected.

No tram services will operate between Crumpsall and Bury on Sunday 25 May, and no again from Friday 30 May to Sunday 1 June, while no trams will run between Whitefield and Bury from Monday 26 to Thursday 29 May.

For the duration of all closures, replacement bus services will run between the affected stops on all the above dates.

Any so-called ‘noisier’ work is set to take place during daytime and evening working hours where possible, and several noise reduction measures – such as acoustic blankets and enclosures – also to be put in place during this.

As always, the Greater Manchester public is being advised to ‘plan ahead’ if they are travelling.

“Whitefield Tunnel dates back to the 19th century,” explained Ian Davies, who is TfGM’s Network Director for Metrolink, “and this essential work will ensure tram services can continue to safely pass through it for decades to come.

“This is a complex job, but we will do everything we can to minimise disruption to passengers, residents and businesses.”

Read more:

He added: “I would encourage people who use the Bury line to plan ahead and check the Bee Network website, app, and social media channels for the most up-to-date travel information.”

Find out the latest on the TfGM website here.

Featured Image – Janus Boye

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