An Oldham town centre pub has been crowned Rochdale, Oldham and Bury's best 'pub of the year' for the third time in a row.

The Fox and Pine pub on Greaves Street boasts a hefty portfolio of accolades and titles to its name already since married couple, Chris and Michelle Riley, opened the alehouse in 2020.

The pair named the pub after Michelle's Leicester City birthplace (fox) and Oldham Athletics' original team name (Pine Villa).

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In just a few years, the pub has earned its stripes in the region as one of the best places for a pint with the Campaign for Real Ale highlighting the pair's commitment to the cause for the past three years - including featuring it in its 50th edition of the 'Good Beer Guide'.

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), which was first launched in 1971 as a campaign for the 'revitalisation of real ale', issues prestigious awards to the places considered the "very best" in the pub, club, beer and cider scene from across England, Wales and Scotland.

CAMRA's Rochdale, Oldham and Bury (ROB) branch crowns its best pub of the year every March where members vote for three of their favourite borough pubs plus an overall best branch pub which goes on to a regional competition.

While the Fox and Pine received the coveted award for the past two years, and went on to win CAMRA's Greater Manchester Pub of the Year 2023, the pair have revealed they have won the ROB branch award for the third year running.

In a post on social media, the Riley's said: "Well, what a day.

"We've just been told we've won Rochdale, Oldham and Bury CAMRA pub of the year 2024.

"So that’s the third year running.

"A massive thank you to all our customers and staff."

The recognition also means the pub will once again go head to head in a regional final to bag the title of Greater Manchester pub of the year 2024.

The news comes as the pub continues to make waves in the industry, recently receiving nods in other prestigious and regional competitions.

The pub was a runner-up for 'pub or bar of the year' at the Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards (MFDF) held in January this year and was shortlisted but lost out to The Black Friar in the I Love Manchester Awards in the category 'Manchester's Most Loved Pub'. 

Celebrating the third year running accolade, locals and loyal customers praised the pub on social media, calling it a "top little boozer" and "thoroughly deserved".

We Are Wolf Brewing, a brewery in Uppermill, said: "Smashing it my dudes!"

Bittersweet, a town centre cafe, also said: "Oh wow, that's amazing. Starting to think you need to extend upwards to fit all those trophies."

Meanwhile, Oldham Athletic Veterans and Armed Forces Supporters Group also extended its congratulations on the "fantastic achievement".

If you have a story, I cover all things Oldham from food reviews and local business news to music and events, pubs, education, crime, property, health, community concerns and much more. Please email me at Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk or send me a message on Twitter @Livbridge with your news.