Oldham pub has a unique rule which is drawing people in

The Old Bulls Head on Rochdale Road in Shaw, this week's The Oldham Times Pub of the Week, is best known by locals as the pub where you cannot use your phone and where swearing is prohibited, making it a blast from the past.

Run by husband and wife team David and Andrea Smith, despite the boozer being a bit "old fashioned" in Andrea's words, it is attracting all sorts of customers, including young people.

Andrea and David Smith have been running the pub since 2024 (Image: Andrea Smith)

Andrea, 57, said: "More young people and couples are coming in - we're a different pub and that's what draws people in."

The landlady from Shaw insists that the Old Bulls Head's unique rules make the experience better for customers.

Despite its old fashioned rules, the Old Bulls Head is attracting young people (Image: Andrea Smith)

"We're different from other pubs - you can't have your phone or laptop but people make new friends," Andrea said.

"When you come in, it's a social pub and you just chat to somebody you've never met. There's friendships being made here."

The pub is part of the Samuel Smith's Brewery, which prides itself on serving good quality beer and look to be "havens from the digital world".

Andrea says the Old Bulls Head enjoys a strong base of regulars but "word's getting out" with "more people coming in from further afield" who are searching for an authentic pub experience.

The Old Bulls Head is throwback pub (Image: Andrea Smith)

The boozer's atmosphere is helped by the activities on offer, including pool and darts, with Andrea explaining that the pool table is being moved into the 'tap room', which is bigger and will make the Old Bulls Head even more sociable.

Andrea said: "Christmas last year was a great memory of mine, we played board games with everyone, and then on New Year's Eve we had a lot of couples in and played more games - it felt like having your family around."

Taddys lager is the most popular drink at the Old Bulls Head, which enjoys a cosy fireplace (Image: Andrea Smith)

Taddy's lager is the most popular drink at the Old Bulls Head, but Andrea says they offer a stout which some customers are saying is better than Guinness.

The Old Bulls Head is a pub that has something for everyone, with a weekly quiz and special event nights including Cheese and Pickle nights and fancy dress, with Andrea looking to launch a folk night each month.

Andrea says: "It's an old fashioned pub but really quality - we respect each other and look to make friendships."