A “proud” Oldham pub has thanked its “fantastic customers” after being named the Community Pub of the Year at an award ceremony.

The Spinners Arms in Springhead won the “Community Pub of the Year” award at this year’s JW Lees Pub of the Year Awards ceremony.

The pub, run by Stacey Lightfoot, 42, and Mick Wilkin, 56, received the accolade at an award ceremony at The Alderley Edge Hotel on Thursday, July 13.

Stacey, who grew up in Royton, and Mick, who is originally from the North East, took over the pub in October 2016 after previously running bars in Tenerife for 16 years.

The pair initially took on a one year contract but are still at the pub six years later.

Mick said: "When we first took over the pub it was a bit disheveled and run down but it's just gone from strength to strength."

The pub now serves food from Wednesday to Sunday and is famed for its Sunday lunches.

Reflecting on the award win, Mick said: "We didn't expect it at all. It was a total shock. We're so happy to have been recognised by the brewery for turning the pub around."

In a heartfelt post on Facebook following the win, the pub wrote: “We are so proud to have won Community Pub of the Year.

“As you all know we love The Spinners and how it has grown into such a great pub over the last six years but that is also down to you our fantastic customers who support us week in week out.

“This is as much your award as it is ours because you are the community that makes this place special.”

The post has been met with a flood of comments from fans of the pub.

One commenter wrote: “Congratulations! Well deserved, great pub, lovely food and always a top friendly atmosphere.”

Another added: “Congratulations guys, very well deserved it's a fabulous pub, great staff and lovely food. Our fav.” 

The JW Lees Pub of the Year Award is not the first won by the pub. In 2021 it was awarded the Best Pub in Saddleworth North at the Saddleworth Pub of the Year awards.

The Bridge Inn, another popular Oldham pub, also took home an award at the ceremony last week.

The pub on Moorhey Street scooped the “Outstanding Achievement” award.

In a celebratory post on Facebook, the pub wrote: “Woo hoo we won. Love you all and our lovely pub.”

Last year The Halfway House and The Puckersley Inn in Royton both scooped awards at the JW Lees Pub of the Year Awards ceremony. 

The Halfway House won three awards: Hero of Lockdown, Regional Pub of the Year, and Pub of the Year 2022, and The Puckersley Inn scooped the Food Pub of the Year award.