Cob and Coal wins Pub of the Year

The microbrewery in Tommyfield Market, Oldham was named the CAMRA Rochdale, Oldham and Bury branch Pub of the Year in July before scooping the Greater Manchester wide award.

The pub was also shortlisted for Pub or Craft Ale Bar of the Year at the Manchester Food and Drink Festival Award after being nominated by a panel of judges including food and drink critics, experts and writers.

Additionally, it has been the Rochdale, Oldham and Bury branch's Cider Pub of the Year for two years in a row.

As part of the judging process independent CAMRA officials from each Greater Manchester branch visit pubs anonymously and mark them on categories including service, atmosphere, and real ale quality.

CAMRA judges are not allowed to nominate pubs from their branch’s region.

Peter Alexander, chairman of CAMRA’s Rochdale, Oldham and Bury branch, believes Cob and Coal beat thousands of rivals due its “warm and welcoming” atmosphere and excellent service.

He added: “The landlady Michelle Riley is extremely enthusiastic and passionate about real ale and cider.”

The CAMRA chairman hopes the award-winning pub will inspire other venues in Oldham.

He said: “The fact that the pub is only a small micropub makes the win all the more remarkable. The award is something for pubs to aspire to. Hopefully other landlords will now be thinking ‘If Michelle can do it why can’t I?”

Commenting on the award, Michelle who opened the pub around two years ago alongside husband Chris, said: “It’s fantastic and brilliant news.”

In July, Cllr Arooj Shah, Oldham’s Council leader praised the pub for attracting visitors to Oldham town centre.

She said: “It's businesses like Cob and Coal that are putting Oldham on the map – bringing people into the town centre and offering the visitor experience that people tell us they want.”

Chris and Michelle are also the landlord and landlady of the Fox and Pine, on the corner of Oldham's Firth Street and Greaves Street.