CityLife

King William

King William at Bromley Cross

WITH pubs closing faster than a Grimsby branch of Woolworths and landlords full of doom and gloom about the licensed trade, it is nice to highlight a good news story now and then.

One couple who are more pint half-full than the doom-mongers are Darren Flanagan and his partner Tracey Crosland, who last month re-opened the King William in Bromley Cross, near Bolton.

The pub has had a £600,000, nine-month refurbishment, in partnership with Blackburn brewery Thwaites.

And the bar lines up three well-kept Thwaites’ cask brews – Original, Lancaster Bomber and a favourite of mine, Wainwright, named after the famous author of walking books who would no doubt appreciate the rugged countryside surrounding the pub.

Wooden balcony

The vistas can be taken in on the impressive first-floor wooden balcony that will no doubt be popular in the warmer months.
 

But, with snow still lying on the tops near Jumbles country park, the interior of the King William is thankfully more inviting, with a wood-burning stove central to the unpretentious lounge area.

Its cream and brown colour scheme is more resonant of a tasteful living room rather than a characterful hostelry but it is all plushly done, and paintings by Bolton Art Circle line the walls and can be bought by customers.

Locally sourced meat

The Sunday we visited the pub was full of diners of all ages (children seem to be given a warmer than usual welcome) enjoying the traditional pub food, which also included a few non-standard dishes and a chargrilled menu, which promises locally-sourced meat.

My chicken cassoulet (£7.95) was hearty, though it could have done with being cooked through a little more, but the fish pie (£8.95) was packed with a catch of salmon, smoked haddock, cod and prawns.
 

There is also a kids’ menu – ours knocking back scampi and a dinky cheeseburger (£4.50 each) – and desserts included a trifle-style rhubarb crumble which was nicely tart.

The smiley service reflected the friendly, cheerful atmosphere – largely engendered by Tracey, flitting attentively round the tables.
And, for that at least, the King William deserves to do well.