Every week, we like to highlight a Bury venue to show off what makes hospitality in the borough so special with our Pub of the Week feature. 

This week, we are featuring the Broad Street Social, on Broad Street in Bury town centre. The Social has been up-and-running for three and a half years and run by Jennifer Smith. 

It specialises in cask ales, especially those by Brewsmith Beer, from the brewery they also run in Ramsbottom. 

They've been awarded the title of Rochdale, Oldham and Bury CAMRA pub of the year. 

Landlord/landlady name:

 Jennifer Smith

How long have you been the landlord/landlady for? And how are you finding it?

 We opened in 2020 – a tough year to start during lockdowns and Covid restrictions but we have steadily increased business over the last three years and built up a loyal following.

Although at least once per week someone will come in and say they didn’t know we existed. I guess we are a bit off the beaten track.

This year we have been awarded Bury CAMRA pub of the year – presentation Wednesday, May 1 – all welcome to come down.

Give us some history about the pub:

Broad Street Social came about after running our brewery – Brewsmith Beer in Ramsbottom since 2014.

We wanted a direct outlet for our beers in our local town having found most pubs can’t stock us due to ties with larger breweries and pubs.

We specialise in cask ales, mostly Brewsmith, but with guest ales from across the region. 

We also have six keg lines, cider, selected wines from Kwoff wine specialists in Bury, gins, whiskies and a great range of canned and bottled beers.

Is food served? If so please describe it or if there are plans to in the future

 No and none

Is there a beer garden? Please describe

 No

What is the most popular drink served and why?

By far we are very much a cask ale pub, customers come in specifically for the Brewsmith ales and to try something they wouldn’t find locally. That said, the wines and gins are also really popular!

What is the most memorable moment at the pub?

We had a third birthday party last summer which was pretty special. Lots of familiar faces – customers, suppliers, friends and family came down to celebrate with us.

Do you have an entertainment line-up?

We have monthly open mic and spoken word nights with local musicians and poets performing.

A roster of DJs mainly on Friday and Saturday nights and occasional live musicians on Thursdays.

We also run art Sunday mornings with local artists leading sessions in life drawing and painting (pre-booking only for those). We celebrate Oktoberfest every year putting on traditional Bavarian beers – lederhosen optional.

What are the biggest challenges within the industry and how can you overcome them?

Where to start? The cost of living crisis has hit small towns like Bury hard with people choosing to spend less and less often.

Supplier and utility price increases. Maintaining a reliable rota of staff. The government can do more to alleviate tax and costs for the hospitality sector.

I am on the Bury BID Board which is a brilliant opportunity for the town centre to increase footfall, put on events,  improve safety and access, and promote the brilliant offer we have here.

Being independently run means we can be flexible and adapt, respond to trends and demand, have a direct and honest relationship with customers. The key for us is our unique beers, atmosphere and staff.  Customers keep coming back so we must be doing something right.

What is the best thing about running a pub and why?

The customers and staff.  We have such a lovely atmosphere with a real mix of people. Sampling new drinks (obviously).
 

What is the worst thing about running a pub and why?

Cleaning. Being on my feet for too many hours a day. Paperwork. VAT. Spam emails. Rude customers – they don’t last long though.

What bonus things are offered at the pub? Please explain.

We have a Cask Ale Club weekdays and Sundays – buy 6 pints and get the 7th free. Prosecco is always £15 bottle and on Sunday most wines and fizz is £15 bottle. Excellent value.