February - Magnet
The Magnet
51 Wellington Road North, Stockport SK1 1HJ
The Stockport & South Manchester CAMRA Pub of the Month award for February is the Magnet on Wellington Road North in Heaton Norris. Paul Braidley has been along.
The Magnet is one of the best-known and most-visited pubs in the whole of the Stockport & South Manchester CAMRA branch area. Now into its tenth year of trading, the pub is a testament to the hard work and vision of the whole team, led from the front by Lesley and Lee Watts.
Since re-opening, the pub has expanded considerably to accommodate its ever-increasing popularity. There is a large outdoor split-level seating area, fully utilised in those warm summer months. The former upstairs function room has been completely redecorated and converted to an additional public room which comes into its own on busy weekends. Downstairs the pub is multi-roomed, and split-level, including a pool room and well-appointed outside smoking area. There are even snug wraps available for those feeling the chill when outside. Whilst the pub does not regularly serve meals, pizzas are available every Friday for hungry types.
The ever-changing beer range consists of up to 14 cask plus 12 keg and keykeg beers. Salopian Oracle is a permanent beer and there is also one of the highly acclaimed Tiny Rebel beers permanently available. All beers are displayed on large screens in the two rooms adjacent to the bar area. This gives full information about all beers and those with an app can see what is being served before arriving. There will always be at least one, and often up to three, cask dark beers available. The pub was recently also chosen as one of those to launch the new Cloudwater cask range.
The Magnet has always had a strong charitable side with Monday cheese nights, and also has books and pump clips for sale to raise money for good causes. This former Branch Pub of the Year and regular Good Beer Guide entry continues to have beer quality and choice at its heart and fully deserves this award. Join us on Thursday 28 February to help Lesley, Lee and their staff celebrate their accolade. The pub is well served by public transport, notably bus 192.