November - Olde Cock
Ye Olde Cock Inn
848 Wilmslow Road, Didsbury, Manchester M20 2RN
The Stockport & South Manchester CAMRA Pub of the Month award for November 2016 has been won by Ye Olde Cock on Wilmslow Road in Didsbury. Stuart Ballantyne explains why it won.
Over the last few years there has been a quiet revolution happening at the Olde Cock. In Manchester Metropolitan University's infinite wisdom it decided to close the student halls of residences that surround the pub. The result was a collapse in trade. So what do you do? The answer is that you employ a knight in shining armour to build up the trade again.
Enter Tony Wadeson, a licensee on a mission. Tony set about introducing quality cask conditioned ales. He revamped the food menu by introducing a great range of dishes together with some unusual one-off snacks. Does anyone fancy the beer jelly or a dish from the beer and meat menu? He employs quality chefs and has a team of cellar staff to ensure that the beer that is served is always in the very best of condition. Tony has made sure that the people he employs are friendly and customer focused ensuring that customers return to the Olde Cock over and over again.
In difficult economic times some pubs have been struggling. Not so the Old Cock which has seen a steady year-on-year growth in sales over the last five years with cask beer sales growing by more than 50%. On that basis the beer served must be good otherwise people would not drink it. With up to six cask beers and at least three craft keg beers on sale where can you possibly go wrong?
Tony and his staff have put in a huge amount of effort to support and grow the trade of the pub in very challenging circumstances. Quality has remained high throughout and so it is fitting that their efforts are rewarded. So why not join the CAMRA group and the regulars at the Olde Cock for the presentation evening? The Pub of the Month award will be presented to Tony and his team on Thursday 24th November. If you are a CAMRA member don't forget to show your membership card to receive a discount on the price of your beer. If you are not a CAMRA member have you considered joining?