The Baum voted best pub in Britain

Simon & Heidi Crompton receiving the CAMRA National Pub of the Year award for The Baum

2 More Image(s) In Gallery

Only four months after winning Greater Manchester’s ‘Pub of the Year’, The Baum in Toad Lane has scooped the coveted ‘National Pub of the Year’ title awarded annually by CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale.

Owner Simon Crompton was clearly delighted when he spoke to Rochdale Online. “This is great news for the team and great news for Rochdale. There has been a lot of negativity surrounding the town centre in recent times but this just goes to show that we can really do it when we want to.”

Simon started work at The Baum as a manager in 1994 but in 2005, he bought the pub together with his wife Heidi just two days after having their first child.

Simon said: “This success has not happened overnight. We have built up a great team; many of whom have been with us for years. It has taken a lot of hard work and we put a lot into getting our beers and food just right and our customers clearly appreciate it.
“Although we are a town centre pub, our customers tell us they always feel safe here. Our security staff are excellent but very low key.”

The Baum is popular with shoppers as well as with evening customers and the emphasis has always been on a relaxed, family atmosphere.

Commenting on the Baum pub being named CAMRA pub of the year, Simon Danczuk MP said: “As a Baum regular I’m delighted to see my favourite pub being named as the best in the country. This is a great advert for Rochdale. The service is excellent and the atmosphere is second to none. Having a pint in the Baum is one of the things I always look forward to when I get on the train from Parliament and come home.” 

Situated next door to the newly re-opened Co-op Museum, The Baum has earned a very well-deserved reputation not only for its extensive and ever-changing selection of real ales; many from local, independent brewers but also for its food which is sourced locally wherever possible.

Today, (13 February) Simon is hosting a lunchtime event to be attended by members of the local business community and representatives from RMBC to help him to celebrate his success.

He told us that, following the announcement of the win, council workmen had descended on Toad Lane tidying up the area and trimming the verges.

Formerly a hardware shop, The Baum survived the wrecker’s ball when the Exchange Shopping Centre was built and many local pubs were demolished.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news/73200/the-baum-named-best-pub-in-greater-manchester