JOHN CLARKE
THIS is my 95th pub review for the Stockport Express and it’s my first return visit, but it’s a cracker.
When I first covered the Samuel Oldknow it was the latest of the town’s new micropubs and billed itself as a ‘bar and bottle shop.’
That was in March last year and since then it’s taken off like a rocket, so, while a range of bottled and canned beers are still sold, the Samuel Oldknow has settled into the Marple scene as a small but perfectly formed community local.
To say they have been busy is perhaps something of an understatement, with owners Billy Booth and Anthony Meynell looking rather shell-shocked at times.
Luckily they are now able to employ bar staff, so these days they look less frazzled than they did a year ago.
It’s quite easy to see why the pub has been so popular.
Situation is always key and a prime location on pedestrianised Market Street is clearly a factor.
Moreover, behind what remains an unassuming frontage is a small and welcoming bar that feels like it’s been there forever, rather than just 15 months.
The recycled wood and warm colours help, as does the collection of bits and pieces that bring a personal and established feel.
It has evolved of course, and I particularly like the ‘Dog Bar’ with biscuits and water for the numerous canine visitors.
The pub has also started picking up awards and it’s this that drew me back.
Interestingly these aren’t for the beer (although there’s plenty of that to choose from, with five handpumps and six keg fonts alongside all those bottles and cans) but for traditional cider and perry.
When I first called, there was one traditional cider on sale – via the sixth handpump.
That’s still used, but the solitary guest has now been joined by seven (yes, seven) others – four in kilner jars and three ‘bag-in-box’ – and all kept in a fridge, so they are always cool and refreshing.
The range varies from the very traditional farmhouse varieties to more modern ciders infused with fruit.
The local branch of CAMRA recognised this by making the Samuel Oldknow its Cider Pub of the Year.
This meant that it went head to head with other Cider Pubs of the Year across Greater Manchester and you know what? It’s only gone and won the regional title.
Not only that, but as CAMRA’s Greater Manchester Cider Pub of the Year they go into the competition to find the national winner. How good is that?
Well, very good. Billy was over the moon when I called in.
“We were surprised and delighted,” he told me. “We’ve really made an effort to sell a range of great ciders and it’s fantastic that this has been recognised.”
Of course the cider is only one aspect of what is a great little operation – and in recognition of that the local CAMRA branch will be presenting Billy and Anthony with a Pub of the Season award in July.
All the buses to Marple will drop you close by, so if you’ve not been yet, it’s time to pay a visit.
»●The Samuel Oldknow, 22 Market Street, Marple. Opening hours: 1pm–10.30pm Monday to Wednesday, 1pm– 11pm Thursday and Friday, 11am–11pm Saturday, noon–10pm Sunday.