April - Bulls Head (Manchester)
The Bulls Head, Manchester
84 London Rd, Manchester M1 2PN
NOTE: Now transferred to the newly formed Central Manchester Branch
This month Karen Wainwright tells you about the Bulls Head in Piccadilly, which receives April's Pub of the Month award from the Stockport & South Manchester branch of CAMRA.
A striking Victorian street corner pub opposite the main taxi rank at Piccadilly Station, the Bull's Head has long been a popular watering hole for locals, students and train passenger alike. It has survived the Blitz, 1970s developers and even the best efforts of a bus to demolish it. The interior is simple with one large, tapering, open plan room with a raised seating area at the front and a semi-circular bar on the back wall. Polished floorboards and an eclectic collection of tables, chairs and sofas break up the lines of the walls. The welcome is second to none. This is one of those sorts of pubs where you can strike up conversation with patrons and staff instantly. You feel part of a community, even if you only visit once.
Paula Wilkinson had worked behind the bar for many years and always yearned to be the licensee. When Keith Willam retired, he recommended Paula to Marstons as his successor so in September 2012 she took the helm. The Bulls Head was already a success story, so Paula built on that success. She added an extra handpump making six cask ales available. These all come from the Marstons beer list with Jennings Cumberland Ale, Marstons Sunbeam, Ringwood Boondoggle and alternating Banks's Mild and Jennings Sneck Lifter as regular beers. The other two pumps are any other beer that the Marstons tie permits. All beers are always served in the best of condition and tested by Paula herself who states "I never used to like beer - now real ale is all I drink". Paula has added yet another handpump. This one is for serving real cider, for which there is no brewery tie and she has a free hand in choosing it.
The award will be made on Thursday, 24th April 2014 from 8.00 pm. Come along and find out for your self what makes a really good local in the heart of a city. Piccadilly Rail Station is opposite and bus routes 192 201, 203/4/5/6/7 and 219 regularly serve the area.