Pub of the week: Thwaites' Hare and Hounds in Clayton

The Hare and Hounds in Clayton-le-Moors is a listed building situated off one of the area's busiest junctions, with a new manager aiming for a 'revved-up' atmosphere with weekly karaoke nights. 

Can you introduce yourself?

My name is Clare Morgan, and I'm the manager at the Hare and Hounds.

Clare Morgan (centre) with her son, Josh, who also works at the pub, along with waitress, Holly Moore (Image: NQ Staff)

Do you have much experience running pubs?

I went to catering college, and I’ve been working in hospitality ever since. I’m pretty local to the area, I live in Oswaldtwistle. 

I’ve worked here at this pub for about five years on and off.  I’d just been helping out with work and then I was asked if I wanted to take on the management, and that’s where we are at the minute.

Are you enjoying managing a pub?

I’ve been managing here for about two or three months, it’s been really fun so far.

We’re starting to get busier and busier at the moment, and more people have started coming in since we’ve started doing a proper menu. 

When we were first started we were just doing bar snacks, but the proper food we do at the moment is really taking off. 

You get to meet new people every day, you can have a bit of banter with some and it’s a real laugh, we’ve got a really good group of regulars and it’s great.

The double fish meal and one of the pub's original burgers (Image: Hare and Hounds) 

What changes have you made since taking over?

I really wanted to move towards doing lots of proper, classic food, with big portions. 

Since coming in we've brought out a food menu, because with the financial situation at the moment not many people can afford to eat out often, so we wanted to provide some reasonably priced stuff. 

We've also started doing karaoke every Friday night, which you can tell is popular as people book tables for it. We do get live bands in as well when we can.

What's your best food?

The burgers, we've got 15 different types, all new to the pub.  The best is the 'Blue Monday' in my opinion. 

We also do a proper old-style, giant steak and kidney pudding, plus you're classics like fish and chips. One thing customers are always shocked by is our crispy chicken wings, people can't believe the portions.

Steak and chips (Image: Hare and Hounds)

What's your most popular drink?

We do three craft ales, two of which are permanent, and one is a guest ale, that changes all the time. 

Our most popular though are lagers, we do a Fosters at £3.55, a Cruzcampo at £4.75 and a Moretti at £4.80.  For Euro 2024, we'll be doing four-pint pitchers.

The pub has been preparing for the euros with decorations (Image: NQ Staff)

How challenging is the industry right now?

The challenge is getting people in when money is tight, not a lot of people can afford to eat out these days, which is why we try and be as cheap as possible, but it's difficult.

The Euros will be a big earner and a much-needed boost, which is why we've got a fan zone outside, ready with speakers and an outside TV.

Finally, what's been the highlight so far?

I say it every time, it's the locals that make these places and it's the reason I took over here.  So it has to be the chats I have with them.