March - Sun & Castle
The Sun & Castle
54 Middle Hillgate, Stockport SK1 3EH
The Stockport and South Manchester CAMRA Pub of the Month for March 2016 is the Sun & Castle, on Middle Hillgate, Stockport. Opening Times Editor John Clarke dropped in.
Landlady Veronica Bell (known to everyone as Ronnie) says that her pub is something of a contrast between inside and out. She's right. From the outside it can look a little forbidding - not helped by the very shabby sign which owners Joseph Holt really ought to do something about - but walk through the doors and you're in a warm and friendly local.
Holts haven't always owned the Sun & Castle, for many years it was a Tetley pub, and for a lot of those sold no cask beer. Holts are also responsible for replacing most of the original inter-war fittings with a mock Victorian interior and for once this really seems to fit the bill with pride of place going to a spectacular 1890s bar back.
So what you have now is a warm interior with lots of dark wood plus red, brown and cream fixtures and fittings adding up to a classic "traditional pub" feel. To the right is a cosy lounge and behind that bigger rambling room complete with a small stage. To the left is a spacious and well used vault.
Ronnie and her husband Harry have been there on and off for most of the last 16 years. Four years ago she retired and was tempted back for six weeks - and it still there! She has been in the trade for over 30 years and seems to have spent most of those on Hillgate as before coming to the Sun & Castle she had lengthy spells at the now closed Golden Lion and Pack Horse. Harry looks after the cellar - the cask beers are Holts Bitter and the current seasonal - to such good effect that he's entered in this year's Best Kept Cellar competition being run by Holts.
So come and join us on the evening Thursday 31st when we present Ronnie, Harry - and their hardworking staff - with this very well deserved award.