Lancashire pub of the week: Dog and Otter in Great Harwood

The Dog and Otter, in Cliffe Lane, has recently been taken over by couple James and Jen Britton and customers are already raving about the community-led pub and its top-notch pub grub. 

And they have a lot of time for their loyal customers and are planning to host several events in the future, using their fantastic outside space.

Here is what Jen had to say:

Can you introduce yourself?

My name is Jen Britton, I have run the pub with my husband James for the last month.

Why did you take over the pub?

Me and my husband have worked in hospitality for 30 years between us. We ran a Mexican restaurant (Chiquitos) together in South Wales and really enjoyed working together and, when it closed, we had been trying to find ourselves again.

We had always wanted a pub and when we ended up having this opportunity, we thought we had to take it.

How would you describe the pub?

It is a lovely pub, and it is a good starter. It is community led and we get more people in every day, and we have room to get more food and more passers-by.

The main space at The Dog and Otter (Image: The Dog and Otter)

What events do you host?

We always do a quiz on Monday and about 40 people come in for it. We do an open mic night which is always fun as a number of locals come in for a singsong.

I have many ideas for events we want to do like a summer carnival and I want to do something for bonfire night eventually.

What food do you serve?

We do pub grub. The fish and chips are really good and our burgers are very popular. We also have a lunch menu which is popular.

It is a community-led menu and you know what you are getting, and it will always be the same quality of food.

The dining area at The Dog and Otter (Image: The Dog and Otter)

Secret to success?

It is having experience in the industry. I have had some terrible managers in the past and I don’t want to be like that.

I want people to come to me if they have any issues so they have the opportunity to go and live their lives out of work and come in feeling positive which shows to the customers.

Favourite memories of being at the pub?

Definitely when we had the Euros on, that was wonderful. Even though we didn’t win the atmosphere it brought to the pub was amazing.

When we got into the final that match was electric. It was absolutely packed, everyone had that positivity, they were buying shots, all the staff were really excited.

The final was the same even though we didn’t win everyone was so happy and that was probably the best weekend we had atmosphere-wise.

The bar at The Dog and Otter (Image: The Dog and Otter)

Outside space?

We have a patio that has eight benches on it, we have benches in the car park to the side and we got a massive field behind us. We are a dog friendly pub. People come with their dogs, sit out there having a pint and go into the field.

We have a side terrace as well which is like sitting in Tenerife on a hot day and if you catch it when you are out there it is lovely.

On draught

• Fosters
• Stella Artious
• Bier Moretti
• Cruzcampo
• Inches cider
• Strongbow Dark Fruits
• Shipyard
• Beavertown Neck Oil
• They also have two pumps of revolving cask ales and always have a gold and amber on draft.

How would you describe the pub in a sentence?

It is a community pub with open arms to everybody.