WELCOME to The Oldham Times Pub of the Week.

Each week we feature a pub in the community.

If you would like to be next week’s publican email editorial@theoldhamtimes.co.uk

This week's star pub is the Northgate on Sholver Green in Oldham which is one of the borough’s top-rated pubs on TripAdvisor, recognisable from its appearance on the BBC sitcom Scarborough, and famed for its family feel.

Here the landlord Kevin Hodgkinson answers our Q & A.

Who runs the pub?

Kevin Hodgkinson, 46, a father of three born and bred in Oldham.

Who else is on the team?

My sister Suzy White is our assistant manager, and my nephew Kian Howard works behind the bar.

How long have you managed the pub?

Altogether I’ve been at the pub for five and half years, but my connection goes back much further. I’m from the local estate and my grandad signed me up on the pub snooker team 35 years ago. I had my christening in the pub, lots of milestone birthdays, including my 18th and 21st, and my wedding reception.

Can you tell us some of the pub’s history?

We became a Holts pub in 1992. The BBC sitcom Scarborough was filmed here.

Do you serve food?
We’re a pub that serves drinks including the full range of Joseph Holt award winning ales and lagers, plus a great gin and rum menu, wines, and premium spirits.

What’s the most popular drink?
The Joseph Holt Crystal lager, it’s fresh, light, and easy. I’m the only Holts pub in Oldham so people come here for their Joseph Holt beer.

Do you have a beer garden?

We don’t but we have a massive green outside which the community use and the bit directly in front belongs to us.

Do you have live entertainment?

Yes, in fact I do DJing. I’m known as DJ Kev Fresh – and have karaoke too, every Friday night

What’s the pub known for?

We have a cosy lounge area but also a large games room where you can play pool or darts. Pool is popular here and we’re first and second in local leagues. We also host a lot of functions because of our large function room and because it’s on an estate the pub has a real friends and family feel. We’re a community pub with a big heart.

What’s the best and worst part of running the pub?

Best part for me is the fact that it has so much family history and that makes me so proud. And Holts is steeped in history too. I’d have loved for my grandparents to have known that I’m now running it. Every single day I see all the people I know so well. The difficult part is that I never go anywhere else as everyone I know comes here.

Has the pub come up against any challenges?

We’re doing better than ever. Lockdown was tough for everyone but we’re doing well. That’s the benefit of a pub with family feel. Everyone is so glad to come here and feel as if they are among friends again.