February - Chiverton Tap
The Chiverton Tap
8 Mellor Road, Cheadle Hulme, Stockport SK8 5AU
The Stockport and South Manchester CAMRA Pub of the Month for February 2016 is The Chiverton Tap. John Sutcliffe, who has lived for over 70 years in Cheadle Hulme, describes this interesting new development in the village, on Mellor Road
The Chiverton Tap was opened in May 2015 by like minded local residents who are passionate about their real cask beer, draught cider, perry and good bottled beers and wines. The three partners Bob Ellis, Mary Ellis and Andrew O'Shea, aimed to offer warm hospitality coupled with high quality drinks and simple bar snacks in convivial surroundings. Undoubtedly they have been enormously successful in achieving their stated aim of welcoming customers, inviting them to share some good times and create fond memories.
The original proprietor of the building was Arthur Chiverton whose name is in the mosaic step at the central doorway into the pub. The premises has been many things down the years but was originally a drapers and milliners, and this theme has been carried through the interior décor. As you sit and relax you constantly notice some new, slightly quirky feature. There is a large, vertical yellow tape measure near the shop window. This motif is continued in the shelf edges behind the bar that are edged with standard size, white dressmaker's tapes. Note also the light fittings over the bar and elsewhere in the room, formed from bottles with the bases removed. The front of bar has recessed displays of old cotton reels and items associated with the drapery trade.
Furniture is an eclectic mix of dissimilar chairs and tables from all periods from the 1930s through to the 1980s. There is a booth enclosing an area, while other parts of the room have a variety of groupings so that there is the traditional feature of intimate and semi-private spaces but overlapping in a friendly way that allows for easy intermingling if desired. A blackboard gives information about the beers on offer, usually six on handpumps. A notice at the end of the bar offers Titterton's pies with mustard or chutney.
So why not squeeze in on Thursday, 25th of February, when the presentation will be made. We normally gather from around 8.00pm in the evening, with the presentation about 9.00pm. Mellor Road is opposite the front of the railway station. The 313 and X57 buses stop on Station Road or the train takes five minutes from Stockport.