Historic Marple pub named Greater Manchester’s Pub of the Year

A beloved Marple pub has been named as Greater Manchester’s best for 2024, and will represent the region at this year’s Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) Pub of the Year competition.

In total, 17 pubs from across the UK have been chosen, with regional winners set to battle it out for the nationwide title in January.

Topping the Greater Manchester category is historic Marple boozer, the Northumberland Arms. Saved from permanent closure back in 2017, locals fought hard in a successful campaign to bring the pub into community ownership.

Since then, the pub has continued to flourish — locally known as ‘The Thumb’, the team have developed the venue into a hub of the community, hosting regular events and activities including running, cycling and walking clubs, and regular street food pop-ups.

Judges will now whittle down the 17 pubs to a final four in late September, ahead of handing out the prestigious National Pub of the Year title in early 2025.

Andrea Briers, National Coordinator for the Pub of the Year competition says: “These amazing pubs really are the crème de la crème and I would encourage the public to seek out the 17 winners from across the nations and regions of the UK – they are top-tier pubs serving excellent beer, cider and perry, run by welcoming, hardworking staff.

“It’s also important to support your local all year round. With constant pressure from stubbornly high energy prices, fluctuating running costs and grossly unfair business rates threatening to drown pubs across the UK, it’s vital to get out and support the licensed trade.”

You can find out more about the Northumberland Arms and its history here.

Image credit: Northumberland Arms