Micropub harks back to 1920s era
STUART PIKE
AN independent micropub has opened just in time to capture the busy pre-Christmas rush.
The Vault micropub and gin bar, run by husband and wife team Ian Goddard and Catherine Byrnes, opened on Union Road in Oswaldtwistle on Friday, December 15.
The couple are optimistic they can fill a gap in the local market and capitalise on the booming demand for real ales among non-traditional ale drinkers.
Ian said the decor of the end terrace bar, which used to be the Be(you)tiful salon, takes punters back in time.
Evoking the bars of the early interwar period in appearance, there is no music, while the limited opening hours are designed to be in keeping with micropub tradition. Ian said: “It was a beauty salon and the look we have gone for is stepping back in time.
“People said it’s an old looking pub, like something from Peaky Blinders.
“In recent times there’s been a real ale revolution because there’s so many different types these days.
“It’s marketed toward people who wouldn’t necessarily be a bitter or real ale drinker 10 or 15 years ago. People are willing to try new things.”
Ian says all the ales at the freehouse are locally produced.
He said: “There is a market in Oswaldtwistle that would like to come for a fantastic real ale in a nice quiet, cosy setting.
“We have got a fantastic range on at the minute ranging from something really light, which is basically a craft lager, right up to a dark ale. We have got ones from Manchester and Burnley.”
Ian said the Vault, which also boasts a range of quality gins, is a personal project, ably supported from the outset by his wife Catherine.
He added: “It’s 100 per cent our project, we are not tied to the brewers or pub companies.
“My wife is more involved with sorting out deals and finances.
“She does the business side of things, whereas I am making sure that people get a great pint.
“We opened on Friday and we just wanted to ease in but the power of social media meant we were packed. We pushed the project really hard to get open in time for the Christmas trade.”
The venue, on the corner of Roegreave Road opposite Tiger Lounge, is open from 1pm to 9.30pm, seven days a week.
For more information search for The VaultOssy’s first micropub on Facebook.