A Barrowford pub, that ‘thinks outside the box’ when it comes to its events and food menu, is our pub of the week.
The Old Bridge Inn, in Gisburn Road, appears to be a hidden gem in the town with customers raving about the food, which is ‘traditional pub grub’ with a twist, and unique events such as a virtual firework display.
The pub clearly respects its punters, even making a ‘nook’ for a loyal customer who died.
Here is what one of the owners, Gareth Bevan, had to say:
Can you introduce yourself?
My name is Gareth Bevan. I have run the pub with my partner, Lorraine McBreen, for five years.
Lorraine was working here previously when it was under a different ownership. I left the restaurant industry and took over.
How would you describe the pub?
It’s a community pub with a fun, friendly atmosphere. It is heavily supported by local residents and regulars.
We always try to put on different themes and events that are ‘out of the norm’.
What events do you host?
We always try and do things a bit differently. We do race nights, themed tapas nights, ‘singo bingo’ (a musical spin on the traditional game of Bingo. Instead of listening for a number, players listen to their favourite music).
We even hosted a virtual fireworks night. We watched them on a TV screen and promoted it as a pet-friendly event.
What food do you serve?
Dishes on our menu offer a ‘quirky take’ on pub classics. One of our best sellers at the moment is what I call ‘my fish pie’.
Our bangers and mash is a sausage and Guinness casserole topped with cheesy mash.
I have worked in restaurants around the Ribble Valley my whole life but we don’t want to be a gastropub, so I try and use my background to deliver comfort food.
With any of the events we do, I always try and do a themed menu.
Our special football food boxes are getting a lot of love in the village, we serve them during England matches.
They always feature an English-themed dish and the opposition team’s national dish, or a take on their cuisine.
What is the secret to successfully running a pub?
Thinking outside the box. Knowing your customers, and what they want from the pub, is very important – but also hard work,
You have to be prepared to put the hours in, not just on shift but behind the scenes to try and make it what you think is the best pub you can.
This used to be my local before I took it on so I already knew a lot of the customers beforehand.
Five years have passed and we feel like we have fulfilled the wishes of locals, now it is up to us to ‘keep our foot on the gas’ and keep moving forward, thinking about how we can attract new customers.
What have been some of your favourite memories at the pub?
The UEFA Euro 2020 tournament, when England reached the final. That was incredible.
My partner, Lorraine, also organised my 40th birthday and invited my family and friends from Hull.
I proposed to her in the pub as I had it in my head to propose to her that night anyway. It meant so much more to us as I had my friends and family here.
Covid was memorable for good and bad reasons. We launched a takeaway service during Covid and that ‘put us on the map’, in a way.
What is your outdoor area like?
We have a really nice, walled, beer garden with seven large tables. We have also converted an old stable and called it Bobby’s Nook.
We lost one of our loyal customers during Covid so we dedicated that area to him. You can eat and drink in there. There is a screen in there too.
It also has heaters and we have put some of Bob’s favourite things in, including a vinyl of the song Black Betty and a picture of him. He spent more time in the pub than he did at home!
What alcohol do you sell on draft?
- Peroni
- San Miguel
- Holsten Beer
- Carlsberg
- Somersby cider
- Guinness
- Moorhouses is our main supplier of real ales
How would you summarise your pub in a sentence?
Fun, friendly and once you come in you won’t want to leave.
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