Pub Of The Month July - Bakers Vaults
Bakers Vaults
Market Place, Stockport SK1 1EU
The Pub of the Month for July is the Bakers Vaults on Stockport Market Place. Lawrence Devaney explains why it’s won.
The Bakers Vaults is notable for several reasons. It’s a listed building on the National Heritage list, described as a:“late 19th-century public house of two storeys, built in brick with a hipped roof that overhangs on a modillion bracket cornice with a string course below. The building has three windows, with segmental arches and stucco-shaped heads on two of them, and a centre window with a stucco surround and a moulded apron on brackets. The ground floor features two round-headed doorways and a two-light round-headed window in a round-headed reveal with an ornamental laurel wreath motif, along with an ornamental iron guard on the window. The building is included primarily as part of a group.” Although the pub is listed as late 19th century, it’s clear from the cellars (pictured here) that there must have been an earlier inn on the site. It is also one of Robinsons’ ‘Beer Shrines’, so offers guest beers outside the Robinsons range.
The Bakers is a pub that packs a lot in. Luke Morgan continues to offer a good range of Robinsons ales, along with three to four guest beers. Fans of Titanic Plum Porter are regularly treated to this popular tipple. Cider drinkers are well catered for, as are gin lovers. The pub boasts a 19th-century gin store in one of its lower cellars, which is well worth a visit when open days are arranged. Live music on Sunday afternoons is a popular attraction, with bands playing on what must be one of the most miniature stages in the UK. The live bands cover a wide range of music styles, and a popular music quiz rounds off the entertainment events.
As hospitality reopened after Covid, the beer garden at the front of the pub was expanded and has become so popular that it’s stayed that way and never reverted to just a couple of tables. Although there’s a lot of competition for customers in the Market Place, the Bakers stands out as one of the most popular, especially on Foodie Fridays. It’s this dedication to providing a great pub atmosphere, combined with consistent ale quality, that has been recognised by Stockport & South Manchester CAMRA. We have awarded the Bakers, Luke Morgan and the team with Pub of the Month for July 2025. Join us on 24 July from 8pm for the presentation.