As ever, the voting was close but there can only be one winner – and this year’s Stockport & South Manchester CAMRA Pub of the Year is Heaton Hops on School Lane in Heaton Chapel.

Heaton Hops was opened by Damian O’Shea (‘the Aleman’) and his partner Charlotte back in April 2015, and since then they have won numerous awards from far and wide.

The bar is based in converted shop premises with just two small rooms (the second is downstairs) and a seemingly ever-expanding outside pavement drinking area which, in the summer especially, gives a continental feel. Damian has certainly created a friendly, hospitable and innovative place to have a drink.

There are now three changing cask beers, traditional cider and keg beers, along with bottled and canned beers from the UK and around the world (Damian started out selling bottled beers in local markets). The aim is to promote local beers as far as possible, although not to the exclusion of high-quality products from around the country. Indeed, one of the cask beers is now always supplied by Taylor’s, as the bar is a member of Taylor’s Champions Club.

On learning of the award, Damian told Opening Times: “Myself, Charlotte and the Heaton Hops team are honoured to win Stockport & South Manchester Pub of the Year 2024 in what is a very special year for the branch which is celebrating its 50th Anniversary.”

The presentation will be on the evening of Thursday 30 May from 8pm – but get there early if you want a seat!