September - Angel (Stockport)
The Angel Inn
20 Market Place, Stockport SK1 1EY
The Pub of the Month Award for September goes to the Angel Inn on Stockport Market Place. John Clarke explains why it won.
When Robinsons took over the old Bell & Co brewery in 1949 they inherited a swathe of pubs in Stockport town centre. The Angel was among them and, when it closed two years later that was likely to be the end of its life as a pub. Selling it on as a free house was out of the question back then.
For the following 67 years the building was put to a variety of other uses - for many years it was a solicitor's office and latterly home to Seven Miles Out. Then along came Craig Johnson and his business partner Anthony Meynell who, along with other investors, made plans to bring the old pub back to life. It finally re-opened on 23 November last year and hasn't looked back.
Obviously little remains of the original pub interior, but it's been a skilful conversion with a bar to the left and the interior nicely broken up into different areas. A snug at the back left is particularly welcoming. The walls have gradually filled up with pictures and other artwork to enhance the comfortable feel. At the back is a large outdoor area which has been put to good use and is a real asset to the pub.
On a day to day basis the Angel is managed by Rob Loader, a very experienced licensee who really knows his beer. The well-appointed bar offers up to six changing cask beers, with one handpump sometimes given over to traditional cider. These are accompanied by an impressive range of German beers on tap and in bottle. Well chosen Belgian specialities complete the picture.
The Pub of the Month award will be presented on Thursday 19 September. This will coincide with the launch night of Stockport Beer Week and will incorporate a performance by TV comedian James Dowdeswell of his stand-up show 'The Pub Manifesto'. Civic dignitaries will also be along to what promises to be a great night out.