Focus on Bamford: The Elephant and Castle

The Elephant and Castle

The Elephant and Castle on Bury Road opened under new management in November 2010. It has been completely stripped and refurbished and the new owners aim to bring in casual dining experience to Rochdale.

The premises have been completely revamped with new furniture and new décor to accompany the new team and of course, the new menu.

This is a joint venture between Chef Chris Yates and General Manager Andrew Morris.

The pair previously worked at the Shoulder of Mutton in Ramsbottom and Andy still does the occasional shift back in Ramsbottom.

They took over the Elephant and Castle in what Chris calls “an opportunity” whilst working in Ramsbottom the brewery were so impressed with how well the pub picked up that they pumped money into and later suggested the pair take on the Elephant and Castle.

The pair grabbed the opportunity with both hands.

Chris, 24, is originally from Edenfield, before working in the Shoulder of Mutton he worked at Nutters in Norden, a restaurant in Rawtenstall and two years ago he completed a Gordon Ramsey scholarship – being rated in the top three of 5,000 people.

The menu is clearly Chris’ pride and joy. “The selection is small, but for me that indicates just how fresh it is.

“I pick all the ingredients and they come from local suppliers. I am using the best local suppliers I possibly can.

“The menu is going to change monthly. We will be holding themed nights and we are starting a ‘chippy supper’ evening.”

Speaking about the coming year Chris said: “It certainly is a challenge – we aren’t a pub and we aren’t a restaurant we want to offer casual dining and be different than anything else in the area.”

The aim for the next few months for Chris and Andy is simply “filling the place”

“We want to be consistent, we don’t want to rush people out, when you’re here the table is yours for the night.”

Chris added: “We have had good comments so far.”

Andy said: “We have had a good response, we are keen to get the drinkers going, we want to promote real ales and have a nice atmosphere.”

The Elephant and Castle has five members of staff in the kitchen and eight ‘out front’ they whittled this down form a huge 80 applicants.

“We have got a really good team,” said Chris

Although Chris and Andy have only been there a matter of weeks they are optimistic for the future.

“The highlight has been bringing the old people back in, the local, the people that used to drink here, getting them back.

“People in Bamford and Norden seem to really enjoy it.

“We are still young and are still trying to find our feet in the area.

“We want this to be a thriving community place for a casual dining experience.

“We want to get back to the tradition of the whole family going out for a traditional Sunday roast.”

Chris concluded: “We want to put something into the community.”