IT’S the time of week when we celebrate some of the finest pubs in and around Bolton.

This week we have headed to Westhoughton to speak to the bosses.

Name:

KOO

Address:

105 Market Street, Westhoughton

Landlord/landlady name:

Charlotte

How long have you been the landlord/landlady for?

4 years

Bar staff and their names:

Lauren, Kaitlin, Jason and Olivia.

Give us some history about the pub:

KOO opened in 2017 originally and was bought by the current owner in 2019, three months prior to Covid. The bar has won ‘Best Cocktail Bar - North West’ at the Food and Drink awards twice in 2020 and 2021. Since taking over we have opened an additional floor with a lounge in, refurbished the beer garden, added pavement seating and refurbished the main bar area downstairs. We launched a hugely popular £4.99 cocktail menu a couple of years ago to make cocktails more affordable for people. Cocktails on this menu contain the same level of alcohol using top shelf brands.

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

We only serve crisps!

Is there a beer garden?

Yes, we refurbished our beer garden in Spring 2022 with new decking, fencing and furniture.

Do you have any darts/snooker/pool teams?

No

Most popular drink served is:

Pornstar Martini or San Miguel

Most memorable moment at the pub:

Our igloo that we opened for winter 2022 .

Do you have an entertainment line-up?

No

Have you faced any challenges within the industry?

Aside from Covid, sky high energy prices, price increases, alcohol duty increases (just after Covid) and tax increases then the only other major one would be staff! Since Covid began it has become much harder to find staff.

The best thing about running a pub is...

Hearing customers compliment the drinks and service and winning awards.

The worst thing about running a pub is...

Rude customers (of which there are many more since Covid) and ever increasing bills.