Pub of the Week: The Alma Inn, Laneshaw Bridge, Colne

This time we have chosen a charming country inn, located in the beautiful Pendle countryside with rooms.

-Name of the pub:

The Alma Inn

-Address of the pub:

Emmott Lane, Colne, BB8 7EG

Located throughout Lancashire, the Alma Inn is part of the Seafood Pub Company, boasting a range of beautiful boutique inns.

They also have freshly prepared seafood specials from the local fishermen's daily catch, along with hearty traditional meat and vegetarian dishes.

We spoke to the owner of The Alma Inn:

-Introduce yourself and how you acquired the pub

Joycelyn Neve, 38. From the Fylde but have lived in East Lancashire for the past 14 years since starting Seafood Pub Company, originally living above the first two pubs.

-How long have you been the owner for and how are you finding it?

Since 2016, bought from a friend Lee Duerden.

The Alma is a wonderful pub with great locals, so we are lucky to have great support and are proud to be a part of the community.

But, it’s not all been easy, COVID-19 and its consequences were obviously a terrible time for everybody, but thankfully we got through it.

The challenges the hospitality industry continues to face are well-documented and significant, but there are plenty of positives too.

We are lucky to have a great team, led by husband and wife Arthur and Kathryn who are really delivering a great guest experience.

The great British pub is an iconic institution and despite evolving trends, what we try to deliver in great food, drink and hospitality, is timeless.

-How would you describe your food?

Really great pub food with seriously special specials.

We’re blessed with such quality in our local produce, so we like to let the ingredients do the talking and keep things simple whilst focusing on creating dishes full of flavour. 

I love the versatility the Alma offers, that around any one table people can enjoy a comforting, indulgent pie and chips next to someone enjoying something more fancy and delicate in a seafood special.

We always say a pie and a pint on a Tuesday night is just as important as lobster and champagne at the weekend, just as much care and attention goes into each dish and means you can enjoy a simple and delicious mid-week meal just as much as the most special of occasions for a real treat. 

Our head chef Kath has spent many years in Spain.

I love her specials that let our great local produce (especially fish from my dad) shine alongside the sunshine flavours from the Mediterranean she combines them with. 

-How would you describe your beer garden?

Our beer garden has the best views in Lancashire!

We’ve plenty of seating, and those in the know head up to the back of the pub over the main car park for the picnic benches on the top.

The views really are breath-taking across Boulsworth and Black Lane Ends.

-How would you describe your entertainment?

We have monthly foodie events.

The most popular are our Mediterranean Tapas night and Lobster and Friends, which is a seafood sharing platter with a whole lobster as the star of the show.

We have family events on bank holidays like our Easter Egg Hunt with face painting and crafts on Easter Weekend.

We are also a popular choice as an event venue for weddings and celebrations which brings live music to the Alma regularly.

Our manager Arthur knows his way around a set of DJ decks and is always happy to DJ and get the party started. 

-What is the most popular drink served and why?

We sell a lot of cask beer.

Arthur keeps it in excellent condition and likes to rotate them regularly to keep it interesting.

Cocktails are more popular than you might expect for a country pub.

People often come for lunch or dinner and then end up staying for longer than planned in the bar enjoying cocktails.

Heading into spring there will be plenty of cocktails and spritz enjoyed outside on the terrace when the weather comes good. 

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

There is a lot out of our control; rates, VAT, and the cost of living.

So, we focus on what is in our control which is building a great team who love what they do, and providing the best possible experience for our guests. We always want to keep improving and give our guests plenty of reasons to visit us.

Trying to be a bit better every day goes a long way.

-What is your most memorable moment at the pub?

For me personally, New Year’s Eve a few years back was a great event at the Alma, I had a table of 16 or so of my nearest and dearest.

The event was executed perfectly by the team, we had an absolute ball and it was the last time my nanna and father-in-law were both with us for a family party.

It was a really special evening. 

It’s also lovely to know the Alma is a lot of people’s most memorable moment being a wedding venue, it’s an honour to host the most important days of people’s lives. 

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

The people and the food!

The teams are genuinely like family, we’re a close bunch that care for each other a lot. And our guests all become great friends too.

Lancastrians are warm, funny people who are always up for a good chat.

Being surrounded by food is literally my idea of heaven. 

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

When something happens outside of your control and you have to let people down - like a power cut on a busy night. And having to resist the constant temptation to not be a glutton. 

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

We have nine beautiful guest bedrooms.

Perfect to take in the local area, one of the many local walks, and really fill your boots with plenty of great food and whatever tipple takes your fancy.

The breakfast at the Alma is excellent also, which is open to non-residents too.

On April 2 we launch a seasonal set menu which offers two courses for £15.95 and three courses for £18.95 lunch times Mondays to Friday.

Featuring some of our favourite dishes and new creations we’re looking forward to sharing, at great value.