We continue to put the spotlight on top local venues in our Pub of the Week feature.

This time we speak to Matthew at The Alma Inn on Bradshawgate to find out about the reasons for their success.

Name of the pub:

The Alma Inn

Address of the pub:

152 -154 Bradshawgate, Bolton

Landlord/landlady name:

Matthew Bond

How long have you been the landlord/landlady for?

One month

Bar staff and their names:

Sophie, Hannah and Emma

Give us some history about the pub:

The Alma is over 170 years old and has some varied and interesting history behind it. In 1907, landlady Mrs Sanderson noticed the pub canary had gone missing, police were summoned and it was found to have been given as a ‘gift’ to watch maker Herbert Hunt, by pub regular William Holden. Holden was arrested and sentenced to one month’s hard labour, with the canary being returned to its rightful perch. In 1979, the Alma was bought by Burtonwood Brewery and in 1983 the fine arts shop next door was bought by Burtonwood and knocked through to extend the pub. During this time a large fireplace and range was found which gives the building its grade 2 listed status, and protects us from the land development. By the mid 1990s, the Alma pub began to take on new clientele and outlook. Over the next 30 years the pub would be well managed by local legends Mags and Trev (RIP) and Jim McGranthin.

Is there a beer garden?

We have Bolton town centre’s largest and only south facing beer garden

Do you have any darts/snooker/pool teams?

We have plans to install a pool table and dart boards over the coming months

Most popular drink served is:

Coors and bottled ales on our popular drink deals

Most memorable moment:

Some of the packed to the rafters sell out international touring band gigs such as Bam Magera’s CKY, While She Sleeps, Caliban and Raging Speedhorn. Also our annual RIFF FEST all day events

Do you have an entertainment line-up?

We have a regular and changing line up of live music almost every weekend

Have you faced any challenges?

Keeping live music affordable and accessible to customers. The Covid 19 pandemic and resulting economic downturn has also proved to be very difficult

The best thing about running a pub is...

Seeing customers’ happy smiling faces over the bar, meeting new people and watching live music every weekend

The worst thing about running a pub is...

The long hours

Best cure for a hangover?

A bacon butty and hair of the dog