March - Nursery
Nursery
258 Green Lane, Heaton Norris, Stockport SK4 2NA
The Stockport & South Manchester Pub of the Month winner for March is the Nursery at 258 Green Lane, Heaton Norris, Stockport SK4 2NA. Jim Flynn has been along and explains why it won.
What can be said about this 1930s 
gem of a multi-roomed pub that hasn't already been written before? With its classic unspoilt structure and décor, superb light-oak panelling, delightful windows decorated with horticultural images and well-manicured bowling green to the rear, this is a true classic. Indeed, in 2001 the Nursery was CAMRA's National Pub of the Year, an unheard-of accolade for an urban pub owned by an independent regional brewery.
However, over the last few years the pub has had somewhat of a chequered history, with a succession of licensees. In mid-2020, Paul Harper was appointed to manage the pub by Hydes, and since then it has most definitely been on the up. Paul has had 30 years' extensive experience in the pub trade, in Essex and, more recently, in Manchester City Centre at the Town Hall Tavern and the Oxnoble. This experience is certainly starting to show at the Nursery.
The beer quality has been 
excellent since his arrival, earning a five-star rating from Cask Marque, with an extensive range of Hydes beers, including both milds, 1863 and Dark Ruby, and the excellent Hopster. The food is taking off, the upstairs function room has been refurbished, attracting numerous bookings, and very soon a refurbishment of the downstairs of the pub will commence - this is promised to be sympathetically carried out in view of the pub's listed status.
So why not join the local CAMRA branch to celebrate with Paul and his staff on Thursday 24 March, when a great night will be enjoyed by all!