WITH the weather starting to pick up, lots of us are starting to think about getting out and about at the weekend for walks.

Well, perhaps our latest Pub of the Week may be worth a visit for you and your four-legged friends to take a break

Name of the pub:

The King William

Address of the pub:

245 Chapeltown Road, Turton

Landlord/landlady name:

Vicky and Heather

How long have you been the landlord/landlady for?

Almost four years

Bar staff and their names:

Grace, Emma, Leah, Jacob, Jess and Dom

Give us some history about the pub:

The King William was built in the early 1900s, and was originally an Ale House, turning into a pub when Thwaites purchased it. Eventually half of it was turned into a Italian, La Roma, before the previous owners took over in 2008, giving it a complete refurb and the current layout.

We took over in May 2018, giving it a few licks of paint and a bit of a refresh and then we had a full refurb in November 2018, turning it into the beautiful pub it is today.

We have always been more of a food-led pub, with our changing and innovating specials and a menu that differs from normal pub fayre. When we had the refurb in 2018 we decided to make our pub dog friendly, so now we get a lot of walkers and their four legged friends (much to the delight of the staff). We even have a doggy menu to cater to them, where 50p from each menu item is donated to Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary.

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

We have a big selection of items on our menu as well as previously mentioned changing specials. This ranges from Bury black pudding with brie and marmalade to chicken strips. As well as your normal pub favourites like fish and chips, our well renowned steak and ale and cheese and onion pies to Korean chicken on noodles and ham hock on wholegrain mustard mash with a parsley sauce.

We also have Flatbreads and Sharing Boards, perfect while sat on the decking in the sun with a gin to share.

Is there a beer garden?

Yes

Most popular drink served is:

Birra Moretti

Most memorable moment at the pub:

Just before the first lockdown, when we were told we had to close our doors, we were just going to call it a day and close early. But then we were inundated with phone calls from our regulars, and even some new faces, asking if they could come up and show us support for our last night. We sold off most of our beer that night, some people even came up with empty bottles and milk cartons so they could take some home. It was humbling to see just how much the community supported us at an uncertain time.

Have you faced any challenges within the industry?

Covid was obviously the biggest challenge we have faced, having to shut our doors all together for about 12 months, we were unsure as to whether we would even be able to reopen, but thankfully we are still here!

The best thing about running a pub is...

No two days are ever the same, meeting some fantastic people and being able to put a smile on their face with our food & hospitality.

The worst thing about running a pub is...

The uncertainty around COVID and how the current situations around the world effect us, whether it be from supplier increases or a random drop in trade.

The perfect hangover cure is...

One of our steak and ale pies and some hair of the dog!