The Baum named Greater Manchester pub of the year

The Baum named Greater Manchester pub of the year!

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The Baum has been crowned winner of Greater Manchester pub of the year.

Simon Crompton, landlord of the pub said: “It is fantastic. It doesn’t seem like two minutes since we won the last award.”

The Baum also claimed the title of Greater Manchester Pub of the year in 2012 as well as winning National pub of the year in February 2013.

Simon added: “We just take things one step at a time and if the awards come, then they come. We just do what we do and see what happens.”

Simon Danczuk MP for Rochdale said: "It's been a fantastic year for the Baum and they're a wonderful advert for the town. I always enjoy having a pint in there and it's really encouraging seeing hard-working local businesses like this recognised for the great contribution they make to Rochdale."

The awards are organised by CAMRA, the campaign for real ale. The Baum has been a member of CAMRA for six years and Simon added: “The real ale initiative is really taking off. We started off with two pumps and now we have eight. Real ale is something that people want now and it is something that is really growing.”

The pub will now defend their title at the national awards in February. “We are through to the final sixteen of that and it was a big surprise to win it before and it will be a big surprise if we win it again.”

The Baum is situated next door to the Co-Op museum on Toad Lane and originally opened its doors in the early 1980s as a small local pub.

Simon started working at the pub as a part-time bar manager over nineteen years ago. He became owner of the pub in 2005 and, with the support of his wife Heidi, has turned The Baum into the success it has become today.

Simon added: “This is a win for Rochdale. We need some good news and hopefully this will bring more people into Rochdale.”

The team at The Baum hope to celebrate their win at the end of the month and will be celebrating this win and the win of their award in February. “We haven’t even had chance to celebrate the national award yet” said Simon. “It is all about the staff so hopefully we can all go on a night out and celebrate the win.”