Every week we celebrate some of the best pubs Oldham has to offer in our Pub of the Week feature.
This week, we spoke to Jessica Brady, who has been running the award-winning The Puckersley Inn on Narrowgate Brow in Royton for the past eight years, and her partner, Danny Kernaghan, who left his long-term career to join the pub life three years ago.
Jessica stepped up to the mark just 10 weeks after having her second baby, and to this day ensures the pub remains at the heart of the community, welcoming families, friends, neighbours, dog walkers and teacher groups to gather under its roof to "unwind, celebrate, share stories and make memories".
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Historically, records show the pub has a rich past, being used as an Inn as early as 1786 before it was finally named The Puckersley Inn in 1859.
Various landlords passed through its doors over the decades until 1993 when JW Lees bought the premises and put in their first tenant.
Since the pair took over, the pub has gone from "strength to strength" - and has all the accolades to prove it.
It has been crowned JW Lees 'Food Pub of the Year', is Cask Marque accredited, having received top marks across the board every time, and has been awarded several beer and cellar excellence awards.
For its impressive lineup of cask ales, it has also featured in the Campaign for Real Ale's 'Good Beer Guide' for the last seven years on the bounce.
This is due to serving up five different cask ales, including the brewery's seasonal ale and the brewery's new microbrewery 'boilerhouse' range', plus four draught lagers, ciders and Guinness as well as bottled beers, ciders, wines, fizz and spirits.
Jessica said their most complemented cask bitter is the most popular order and that the team give "extra care and attention" to the way they keep, condition and serve their ales, "which we love to do", she added.
Even more recently, The Puckersley Inn said it is "extremely excited and grateful" to have received a second nomination as Regional Pub of the Year, as well as a 'beer ambassador' nomination which the team hope to take home next month.
Residents also praise the pub for its entertaining Monday quiz night, which kicks off at 8.30pm with an "old school" pen and paper round and other fun rounds such as 'what's in Andy's box' round and 'play your cards right'.
Other games on the night include 'strike it lucky' and 'quingo' - a twist on the traditional game of bingo - while winners bag top prizes from chocolates to food vouchers and cash.
Live singers fill the pub every Saturday from 9pm and the landlords don't skip a beat when it comes to throwing special events like visits from Father Christmas, brass band nights and folk music nights.
Meanwhile, diners can tuck into a hefty homemade menu of traditional pub favourites that come with a "Puckersley twist".
Head chef and "local lad", Michael, compiles special menus and 'menu of the day' with a two or three-course affordable set menu, which changes every week, and a "lovely buffet menu" to cater for any occasion.
Drinkers and diners also get to lap up "the most beautiful panoramic views" across Oldham and Manchester from its inviting beer garden where furry friends even have their own watering hole.
While raising a young family of five children, the pair said there are "too many" memories to count but are delighted to see the pub "get busier and busier", even in the financial climate.
Jessica said: "It's so important to us to give our customers a fantastic experience which we are confident that we do and can see by viewing our brilliant Google reviews.
"We are proud to be running this successful, much-loved pub, but our most memorable moment has got to be winning JW Lees Food Pub of the Year.
"The cost of living is a challenge, but we try our best to keep prices affordable and offer something for everyone."
The pub champions local suppliers and helps other businesses where it can, and is confident its food menu "offers something different".
The mother added: "Having fresh ideas and being a bit different, as well as the fabulous entertainment, we hope will keep people coming through our doors."
Beyond the day-to-day running of the pub, the team said their favourite thing is giving back to their Royton community through initiatives such as sponsoring an upcoming summer fair for a school.
'Team Puck' is also planning to run the Manchester marathon next year to raise money for charity.
Jessica added: "We love our ‘TeamPuck’, we all have a really nice relationship and are so supportive of one another.
"We like to recognise and celebrate our team where we can, including embarrassing them with a birthday selfie on our socials.
"We feel that we are a safe and happy space for our team and customers.
"We love helping people enjoy their day or celebrate milestones in their life.
"There’s no better feeling than looking around the pub and seeing happy faces and memories being made.
"We love that us, our team and our pub are a part of people's stories."
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.
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