A pub which sits just a stone's throw away from Oldham has been described as a "hidden gem" after a new landlord stepped up to breathe new life into the premises.

The New Moston Inn on Belgrave Road came under new management on July 1 this year and in a short space of time, is already proving a hit with residents far and wide.

A loyal customer said she believes everyone ought to know about the pub, having seen a huge increase in popularity since 23-year-old Connor Hancox, who moved to the area from the south, took the helm. 

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She said the young man has dramatically transformed the premises into a "proper community pub" and is "there for the people and the environment, which is rare".

Connor has upgraded the main TV to a "whopping" 75 inches, alongside installing three other new TVs for sports fans showing Sky Sports and TNT with a "crystal clear" view.

The alehouse is being transformed into a 'real community pub'The alehouse is being transformed into a 'real community pub' (Image: Google Maps)

There is also a jukebox with "perfect sound" and an upgraded sound system - and a "sun-trapped" beer garden to boot.

On the lively line-up of entertainment, the pub hosts raffles and scratch card games throughout the week, plus a "no pen, no paper" quiz every Wednesday from 9.30pm, where winners get four free pints, followed by a bingo night on Thursdays from 7.30pm and 'fizz Fridays' where customers can grab a bottle of Prosecco for £13.95 and enjoy another 'fun Friday' quiz.

As for food and drink, The New Moston Inn has a "real deal" Pepsi machine, added new snacks, upgraded to fancy glassware, and offers a wide selection of wines and beer with tantalising deals up for grabs.

Deals include Carlsberg and Martsons Smooth pints for just £2.85 Monday to Thursday, three bottles of Bulmers for £10.95, a 'mix and match' deal on three bottles of Budweiser, Desperados, Sol and Smirnoff Ice for £9.75 and any three shots for £9 - which goes up to £9.50 for Jager Bombs.

The pub has also recently rolled out a loyalty scheme, where customers get their ninth beer for free, and is currently running a vote for residents' favourite cask beer as the landlord teases a new trial of cask ales will be introduced in response to customer demands.

Connor said in a post online that the team has "a lot of tricks up our sleeves", adding: "Every pint we serve shows how much we love the community.

"We pride ourselves on having high-quality drinks, making sure everyone's expectations are met.

"It's the engine room to our business, it's what allows us to supply you amazing people with your hard-earned drinks."

Commenting on the quality of the drinks, the customer said: "It's been the only time I know that it's actually not run out of beer and it's always ten out of ten."

The landlord says he is passionate about "making The New Moston Inn great again" and "putting it back on the map" with his motto being, "The New Moston Inn, the place to have and the place to be."

Connor also told The Oldham Times: "It's taken a lot for me to move up from the south, but I can honestly every second has been worth it.

"I'd just love everybody to know that it's once again a great local pub, and I'm working tirelessly to bring it back to its former glory."

Earlier this month, the pub hosted a "takeover party" to celebrate its new chapter with a buffet, DJ and karaoke.

After the party, Connor wrote: "Thank you to all those who attended last night, and I hope you all had an amazing evening.

"It was lovely to see so many people singing, dancing and enjoying their time at the New Moston Inn.

"Myself and the staff appreciate every single one of you, and that's why we're here to make your time memorable.

"We'll be looking at holding these sorts of events more regularly to allow us to build the community pub to how it originally was, full of fun and laughter and of course, smiley faces.

"We're all ears, so if you want to see a certain something happen or change in the New Moston Inn, I'm happy to sit down and have a chat, just pop into the pub."

The next special event at the pub will be a Motown night on Saturday, August 17, and Connor says he is already planning ahead for the "biggest" and "best" Christmas the pub has ever seen with a "month of festivities".

The new life in the pub has not gone unnoticed, as customers describe it as a "hidden gem" with plenty of praise for Connor's efforts.

A woman told The Oldham Times:  "Connor has made such an impact on us in just six weeks and he's not the sort of person to accept a thank you, he strongly believes in listening and talking to the community to give them whatever they want.

"His bubbly atmosphere and his general curiosity makes the pub.

"He needs credit given to him as The Moston had a bad reputation before he came along."

Got a story or a pub you'd like to give a shout-out to? Email me Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk