Springhead pub that does not want to remain secret anymore

STACEY Lightfoot is determined ‘Saddleworth’s best kept secret’ becomes known to a much wider clientele.Already landlady Stacey and partner Mick have transformed the fortunes of the historic Spinners Arms in Springhead.

The couple recently celebrated their third anniversary at the Woodbrook Road hostelry, thought to have been serving ale since the 1830s, by overseeing a major refurbishment already receiving the thumbs up from customers.

And they have followed up by agreeing a new three-year lease with brewers JW Lees.

“We know the pub is tucked away on what is apparently an old Roman road,” explained North East born Mick.

“So you have got to want to come and find us. But everyone who comes in seems to enjoy it and then become return customers.

“But we have regulars coming in who have been customers for 45-50 years.

“That’s mindblowing to me because that is as long as I have been alive,” laughed Mick, who took over the pub with Stacey in October 2016 after 15 years running bars together in Tenerife.

“You hear some great stories from them. They tell you tales from the 70s and 80s when you had to queue to get a seat if you weren’t in by 7pm.

“The pub trade has changed significantly and so too the Spinners.

“It was closed for a short while before we took over. The locals were panicking it would never open again. We came in and really had nothing to lose.

“We were determined to build up the trade and make it a place where people wanted to come again.”

One of the couple’s first tasks was to introduce a food menu.

“We started off just doing Sunday roasts which has become extremely popular,” said Mick.

“We now have a varied menu which includes vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options and is served five days a week.

“However, we want people to come and have a drink as well. That’s the beauty of the pub.

“You go in some places and you feel uncomfortable and pushed towards dining.

“At the Spinners, we have kept sections in a couple of areas where you can just sit, have a drink and a chat. And that’s been appreciated.

“The refurbishment went well, we are happy, the brewery is happy and we now just want to get the word out to everyone in the community.”