ONE of our favourite pastimes was going to the local pub and spending time with family and friends.

Now, with restrictions potentially lifting as the pandemic eases, perhaps we are going back to the good old days and can enjoy going out again.

So as part of our weekly quest to find the best pubs in Bolton and surrounding areas we visited The Greyhound in the town centre and spoke to landlady Kim Smith about the secrets of their success.

Name of the pub:

The Greyhound

Address of the pub:

146 Deansgate

Landlord/landlady name:

Kim and Brian

How long have you been the landlord/landlady for?

6 years

Bar staff and their names:

Danielle, Kyra, Sarah and Lauren

Give us some history about the pub:

It was once known as the Kickin’ Donkey or the Kicker due to stables being behind the pub in the 1700s. Animals used to kick the back door of the pub when they wanted feeding – or, as the customers tell you, that a gentleman once walked a donkey through the pub. Who knows?

In the 1720s it was an inn and a pub.

The rooms were used to house the drapery assistants that were training and others that worked at shops on Deansgate.

The customers from the 1960s and 1970s were the men from the fire station and British Telecom.

There were lots of darts competitions held here.

Paul Williams, the darts player, lived here for a while.

Is food served? If so what’s on the menu?

Bar snacks

Is there a beer garden?

Yes

Do you have any darts/snooker/pool teams?

Dominoes, darts, 9 card dominoes teams

Most popular drink served is:

Scrumpy Thatchers cider and John Smiths

Most memorable moment at the pub:

The re-opening after Covid and remembering those that we lost

Do you have an entertainment line-up?

Karaoke and Live entertainment

Have you faced any challenges within the industry?

Covid most definitely and closure of the bus station has been one of the challenges.

The best thing about running a pub is...

Opening up to see the customers’ smiling faces

The worst thing about running a pub is...

It consumes a lot of your life being in the trade

The perfect hangover cure is...

Have a another one or stay drinking