From filming TV shows and hosting festivals to new landlords, receiving awards and well-needed makeovers, plenty of pubs in Oldham did well last year.
Despite Oldham's pub scene going through a dramatic transformation throughout 2023, with many landlords leaving the trade while more pubs closed up for good, some of residents' favourite places for a pint and a good night out managed to weather the storm.
So, here's just a look at what some of the pubs in the borough got up to last year.
1. Celebrities swarm The Colliers Arms
In May, lights, cameras and celebrities were spotted hanging around the Old Lane premises as the venue was transformed into a TV set.
Stars from the new Disney+ series, The Full Monty, were seen lingering and later performing at the Chadderton pub.
The story came as actors had also filmed at The Greyhound pub in Royton the year before, meaning there are at least two Oldham hotspots to keep a lookout for in the new series.
2. Awards aplenty and a festival at The Fox and Pine
The Fox and Pine in the town centre had an incredible 2023.
Pesky soap thief aside, the Greaves Street pub hosted its first festival, FoxFest, where revellers dressed up in 1960s gear and "danced in the rain", while Chris and Michelle Riley, who run the pub, celebrated a plethora of awards.
Their trophy cabinet must be buckling under the weight as they already had two Campaign for Real Ale Awards (CAMRA) in 2022 before being crowned the best of the region as the "Greater Manchester Pub of the Year" in 2023.
The Rileys were then shortlisted for another award at the inaugural I Love Manchester Awards in the category of "Most Loved Pub", but came as runners-up after The Black Friar took home the trophy.
Also, as part of the 50th edition of CAMRA's Good Beer Guide 2023 - the "ultimate guide" to pubs, bars and clubs that offer a "great pint" - Fox and Pine was one of three Oldham pubs to make it on the list.
3. Best pub grub at The White Lion
While on the subject of awards, The White Lion in Delph was crowned the nation's favourite spot for homecooked pub grub in November.
The team battled it out with 205 other pubs across the country to win the top accolade, which was held by the Thwaits Hospitality Awards.
The White Lion was praised by judges for its "varied homecooked menu" and its "calendar of charitable food-themed events".
4. The home of pool
Rumour has it Oldham is the birthplace of many pro pool players - and teams who train in some of the borough's venues were sure to keep up the reputation.
In July, players at The Junction pub on Ripponden Road were crowned the champs as they successfully defeated 1,300 pool teams from across the country.
The annual Admiral Taverns pool tournament, which has been running for almost two decades, kicked off way back in January as each team endured a local knockout stage before the summer final saw the 11-strong Junction team bag the win.
Then in October, two pool players representing The Bear on the Hill pub faced the ultimate showdown in an intense nationwide finale.
The 'Team Bear' pals, who had been fine-tuning their game at the Huddersfield Road premises, which in 2022 completed an impressive £100,000 makeover, took on 173 pub teams from Proper Pubs over several weeks before taking home the trophy in the finale.
The regional knockout was also held at the pub which landlord, Tony Beswick, said he was delighted about.
The Town Hall Tavern on Yorkshire Street also announced it started a new women’s darts league.
5. Makeovers
Some bosses also went the extra mile when it came to breathing new life into their premises - by giving their pubs a much-needed makeover.
Rachel Morris took over The Church Inn on Bardsley Street and transformed it from a "run-down old man's pub" to an inviting and thriving place to be.
Ms Morris made it more open-plan and gave it a fresh lick of paint, amongst other dramatic changes.
A Saddleworth pub also had a glow-up after completing its £400,000 revamp in December last year.
The renovation saw The Royal George on Manchester Road close for two months but impressed customers with its final look which blends modern and traditional features, such as its cosy log burner in a rustic brick fireplace and stunning views of the Greenfield countryside.
6. New landlords, new beginnings
The interiors weren't the only things that changed either as some pubs welcomed new landlords to sheer the ship, too.
Nat and Dale Tunnacliffe, who loved The Tandle Hill Tavern on Thornham Lane so much that they got married there last year, leaped at the chance to continue its legacy when the alehouse's prior landlord announced his departure.
The newlyweds vowed to keep the legacy of the old country pub alive, which dates as far back as 1850 and even has its own resident ghost, Jane, who the pair consider is "the real gaffer".
The Sportsman's Arms on Denton Lane was also "saved" by two pals, Brian Mellor and Mark Davenport, who had been drinking in the pub for 40 years before pooling their money together to rescue their watering hole in May 2021.
A revamp, a new landlady and their "friendly faces" behind the bar saw the trio enjoy some success in the business last year.
The Park Inn, on Buckstones Road in Shaw, saw Sally-Ann Sharples-Kennedy take the reigns where she promised to restore "pride" into the establishment.
Along with a quiz night on Thursdays and Wine Wednesday, where customers can buy two large glasses of wine and get the rest of the bottle for free, Sally-Ann told The Oldham Times she was hoping to bring poker and bingo to customers, too.
The Spring Vale Inn pub on Burnley Street held a celebratory party to usher in the new landlord and landlady, Shaun and Vickie, in February while The North Star Inn on Rushcroft Road in Shaw said hello to father and son, Mark Kelly and Daniel Everitt, in June who promised to kickstart their new chapter with a weekend of fun and a tantalising new menu.
Also in Shaw, The Black Ladd pub came under new management last year, bringing with it a new menu and, more recently, a mega food challenge.
Has your favourite pub had a makeover recently or a change of hands? Which pubs have we missed out?
Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook.
Have you got a pub story? Email me Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk
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