Wigan real ale enthusiasts produce handy online guide to borough pubs

Wigan s branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) has compiled a handy resource covering the return of the hospitality sector after months of closures under lockdown.

Drinkers flocked back to their favourite boozers last week to support them as they put on outdoor table service, as permitted by this stage of the Government’s roadmap.

The site also tells people what they can expect to find on the bar, if they have to book in advance, what times they will be served and how open to the elements they will be.

The team at Wigan Camra sourced information on dozens of pubs in the branch area but has also placed online a form for any owners or landlords they were not able to contact to fill out details of their opening plans.

The Wigan branch of Camra is also backing the national campaign group’s latest awareness drive Cask Is Back, which celebrates the unique experience of enjoying a pint pulled at a handpump.

Wigan Camra branch chair Sandy Motteram said: “We’re in an area which has got so much to offer as long as you know where to go.

“Pubs in the area have got enough on their plates at the moment figuring out how to reopen safely and securely so we wanted to take a little bit of the burden off by publicising a list of which pubs are open.

“We’re in the business of supporting pubs at Camra and we want people to get back into pubs as long as it is safe to do so.”

Sandy also said he believes the first week of pubs serving outside has gone well, although many venues have still had to remain shut.

He also said it was vital to support independent real ale producers as much as the venues serving it on cask and keg.

He said: “On the first Monday I had a choice of three real ales from three different Wigan brewers, which was really pleasant.

“It’s early days, but as it stands everyone seems to be managing alright.

“There’s still a lot to do and everyone’s going at 100mph getting their heads round it all.

“For the pubs which have been able to reopen it is going quite well, but some places have not been able to do so for a wide variety of reasons, including not having enough outdoor space, not being sure it’s commercially viable and having concerns about how much they would be able to make due to the weather.

“Cask Is Back is also about supporting breweries. Breweries have had an even more raw deal than pubs, which have had it bad themselves, so it’s important we do everything we can to support local breweries.”

To view the Wigan Camra’s useful resource on pubs reopening visit https://branch.wigancamra.org.uk/pubs-reopening/

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