Opening Times
Covering Stockport plus the southern half of Manchester along with Tameside, High Peak, North East Cheshire and Macclesfield
Opening Times is a bi-monthly A4 magazine covering beer, brewers, events and occasions in an area comprising (roughly) the south east of the Greater Manchester conurbation, with a little straying into High Peak and N.E. Cheshire. It is principally produced by the Stockport & South Manchester branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA). Additional material is supplied by the High Peak & NE Cheshire branch and the Macclesfield branch.
The aim is for publication on the first day of the "odd" months, ie January, March, May, July, September & November. We have 5,500 copies printed each month and distribute it to hundreds of outlets.
First issue recovered!
Copies of the first few issues of Opening Times have been uncovered, so you are able to look back at 1976 here when beer cost 19p to 22p in the lounge of our posher pubs - those were also the days of a 2p or 3p price differential depending where you drank in a pub! Back in 1976 the branch was known as South Manchester and covered a much bigger area, stretching from Glossop, through Stockport and Trafford and even featuring a Warrington Column!
Out of the area?
Want to guarantee your copy of Opening Times?
Then why not subscribe?
You can have 6 issues covering one year sent to your door for £10.50 (to cover postage). Interested? Then please make cheques payable to "Stockport & South Manchester CAMRA" and send your details and cheque to:
Lawrence Devaney, 2 Kingsway, Bramhall, Stockport, SK7 3BG. Send email
July / August 2023 edition
Stockport Beer and Cider Festival Reviews, News and Winners
CAMRA Campaigns: Mild Magic Success, New Young Members Coordinator
Obituarys - Geoff Lees
CAMRA Awards
Wellington Free House in Stockport
Molly House in Manchester
Cross Keys in Cheadle
Special Award for City Arms
Salford Pub of the Year 2023 - New Oxford
High Peak Pub of the Season - Angel, King Street, Dukinfield
Clubs of the Year
High Peak - Poynton Legion Club
S&SM - Ladybarn Social Club
Brewery News - Thirst Class to Close
Pub Walks with Chris Morris - Chelford (Cheshire)
July Pub of the Month - Mounting Stone in the centre of Bramhall with Dave Pennington
August Pub of the Month - Heaton Hops on School Lane in Heaton Chapel with Jim Flynn
Stagger - Withington with Jerry Wicken
Read in its own window.
May / June 2023 edition
Stockport Beer and Cider Festival
Obituarys - Dave Sharpe - Gordon Battersby
Heard at the Bar: The Crown, Cheadle; Runaway Brewery Tap, Stockport; OL's Bier, Stalybridge; Petersgate Tap, Stockport
More Pubs of the Year: High Peak - Silly Country in Droylsden; Central Manchester - Molly House on Richmond Street; Macclesfield - The Castle on Church Street; Central Manchester Cider POTY - Fierce Bar on Thomas Street
Chorlton Beer and Cider Festival
CAMRA Awards: 2020 North of England Perry - Dunham Press's Peterloo — Stockport Beer & Cider Festival's Cider of the Festival - Dunham Press's Dunham Cat Cider; — Pub Of The Year Runner-Up 2022 - Fletcher Moss in Didsbury; — Pub Of The Months: January - Swan With Two Necks & February - Grey Horse
Brewery News: Robinsons - Marble - Alphabet Brewing - Pomona Island - Hideaway - Holt
Pub Walks with Chris Morris - Colne Valley (West Yorkshire)
May Pub of the Month - Grove Inn on Ashton New Road in Clayton with Dave Hanson
June Pub of the Month - Victoria on Wilmslow Road in Withington with Sue Lightfoot
Stagger - Cheadle Hulme with Matthew Thompson
Read in its own window (large file).
March / April 2023 edition
Mild Magic 2023 starts
Stockport & South Manchester 2023 Awards
- Pub of the Year and Cider Pub of the Year
Petersgate Tap on St Petersgate in Stockport does the Double
- Club of the Year
Ladybarn Social Club, on Green Street in Ladybarn
Heard at the Bar, News about
- Farmers Arms, Lounge About, Grants Bar, Tatton Arms all in Northenden
- Rectory Gardens in Cheadle
- Arden Arms in Bredbury
- City Arms, Rain Bar, Duttons, North Taproom all Manchester City centre
Closures and Demolitions
- Closed: Libertine, Comfortable Gill and Hesketh
- Being worked on: Woodpecker, Anchor
- Demolished: Happy Man, Woodman
Cheadle Snippets - James Watts, Ashlea, Wobbly Stamp, Red Lion
Brewery News - Robinsons, JW Lees, Distant Hills, RedWillow, Hideaway, Runaway, SupNorth Brew Co
Strange Times Brewery including International Women's Day Beer
CAMRA Awards - High Peak, Tameside & North East Cheshire CAMRA Winter Pub of the Season is Jake's Ale House
Beatnikz Republic NQ becomes Pelican
Pub Walks with Chris Morris - Gee Cross
March Pub of the Month - Wellington Free House on Wellington Road South in Stockport.
April Pub of the Month - Cross Keys on Adswood Road, Cheadle Hulme with John Sutcliffe
Stagger - Heaton Moor with Jim Flynn
Read in its own window (large file).
January / February 2023 edition
East Manchester Excursion
East Side Story (Clayton, Openshaw & Gorton) with Paul Felton
Harewood Arms in Broadbottom is the High Peak autumn Pub of the Season
Brewery News
- News from Distant Hills - Runaway Brewery moves to Stockport
- Temperance Street Brewery - Relics'n'Rust - P-Noot Moves
Heard at the Bar
- The Bierhaus, Reddish - The Gateway, East Didsbury
- Archive, Cheadle Hulme - Griffin, Heald Green - Crown & Kettle
My Favourite Beer Spot - Reason To Be Chearful with Sarah Hopes
Pub Walks with Chris Morris - The River Mersey
January Pub of the Month - Swan With Two Necks on Princes Street in Stockport with John Clarke
February Pub of the Month - Grey Horse on Broadstone Road in Reddish with Ray Cronie
Stagger - Cheadle Hulme with Chris Walkden
Read in its own window (large file).
November / December 2022 edition
Good Beer Guide 50th Edition 2023
Calling Home Brewers - Competition Launched
Heard at the Bar - Reddish Ale - Heaton Hops - Famous Crown - Tatton Arms - Old Fire Station, Ashton - North Westward Ho
Pubs in the Peak - Chris Morris visits Stalybridge
Brewery News - Marble at 25 - Beer Nouveau - Lees Specials - Rock Mill Brewery To Close
Cider Awards
CAMRA Awards - Milliner in Davenport - Beer Shop in Heaton Moor - Track Brewery Taproom in Manchester
Pub Walks with Chris Morris - Woodford
November Pub of the Month - John Millington on Station Road in Cheadle Hulme, Stockport with Dave Pennington
December Pub of the Month - Fred's Ale House on Stockport Road in Levenshulme, Manchester with Jim Flynn
Stagger - Gatley and Cheadle with Jim Flynn
Read in its own window (large file).
September / October 2022 edition
It's cider and perry time
Remembering Alan Hunt
East Cheshire Update
Sudden Closures:
Wet Led Bar - Treacle Tap - Young Pretender - Brewhouse & Kitchen
Award for the Castle on Church Street, Macclesfield
The Hanging Gate, on Meg Lane in Higher Sutton, reopens
Beartown Brewery opens new tap
Pubs in the Peak - Chris Moris takes the 199 bus
Hash House Harriers - run from pub to pub
News and Updates — New Faces at the Crown, Heaton Lane - The Libertine,
Withington, opens - Reddish Ale, Broadstone Road, about to open - Big Trip
Brewing launches - Thirst Class collaboration anounced - Ventile at the Station
Hop in Levenshulme
Support Our Orchards
Stockport Beer Festival Certificate Presentations
CAMRA Presentations
Smithfield Market Tavern - Ye Olde Vic - Ladybarn Social Club - Beer Shed - Calverts Court - Head of Steam
Pub Walks with Chris Morris - Chinley
September Pub of the month - Milliner on Bramhall Lane in Davenport, Stockport
October Pub of the month - Beer Shop on Kingsleigh Road in Heaton Moor, Stockport
Stagger - Moss Nook and Heald Green with Matthew Thompson
Read in its own window (large file).
July / August 2022 edition
Chiverton Tap - Pub of the Year award
CAMRA's Summer of Pub
Mild Magic retrospective
Stockport Beer & Cider Festival - Facts, Figures and Winners
Walthew House - Festival Charity say Thank You
Pubs in the Peak - Beer Gardens
Brewed at Last - Homebrew competition winners get their beers brewed
Pubs Walks - Mobberley
Pub News - Station South - Bulls Head (Hazel Grove) - Silver Birch
Puss in Boots - Marble Taproom
Food in Macclesfield - Castle on Church Street and Fountain on Park Green
Presentations - Old Hall in Whitehough, Chinley - Chiverton Tap in Cheadle
Hulme - Bugsworth War Memorial Club - Gillery in Mossley - Queens on Great
Portwood Street, Stockport - Vale
Cottage in Gorton - P5 in Cheadle
Hulme - Shady Oak in Bramhall
July Pub of the month - Calverts Court on St Petersgate in Stockport
August Pub of the month - Head of Steam on Wilmslow Road in Didsbury
Stagger - Portwood and More with Chris Morris
Read in its own window (large file).
May / June 2022 edition
Big Anniversaries at the Davenport Arms — 90 years of Tradition and Quality
Pubs in the Peak – Chris Morris visits Mossley
Balance Brewing & Blending – Exciting new venture launches
JD Wetherspoon director – local lad Will Fotheringham
Stockport Beer & Cider Festival – Bar Nouveau – Entertainment – Festival Charity
(Walthew House) – Corporate Hospitality
Chorlton Beer & Cider Festival Returns
Pubs Walks – Congleton
Brewery News — New Seasonals – Neighbourhood Brew Co – Runaway on the
Move – Howard Town Becomes Distant Hills – Beatnikz Republic Closes
Pub News — High Peak Pub of the Year – Silly Country, Droylsden –
Red Lion, Withington – Miltons Tap, Buxton
May Pub of the month — P5 on Station Road in Cheadle Hulme
June Pub of the month — Shady Oak on Redford Drive in Bramhall
Stagger — Hazel Grove and Great Moor with Jim Flynn
Read in its own window (large file).
March / April 2022 edition
Mild Magic Is Back and Robinsons On The Move
Stockport Beer Festival Returns
Pubs in the Peak - Chris Morris visits Buxton
Stockport & South Manchester Awards
Pub Of The Year - Chiverton Tap on Mellor Road in Cheadle Hulme
Pub Of The Year Runner Up - Fletcher Moss on William Street in Didsbury
Cider Pub Of The Year - Petersgate Tap on St Petersgate in Stockport
Club of the Year - Ladybarn Social Club, on Green Street in Ladybarn
Pubs Walks - Mellor
Brewery News - Focus on RedWillow, Robinsons on the Move, Ventile Brew Co, Steelfish Brewing
Pub News - Opened: The Aviator, Woodford Update: Old Hall, Whitehough Several closed and converted
Presentations - Gateway in East Didsbury Windsor Castle in Marple Bridge Petersgate Tap in central Stockport
March Pub of the month - Nursery at 258 Green Lane, Heaton Norris, Stockport
April Pub of the month - Vale Cottage on Kirk Street, Gorton, Manchester
Stagger - Didsbury with Jerry Wicken
Read in its own window (large file).
January / February 2022 edition
Happy New Year
Mild Magic is Back
Obituary - Dave Hannan
Pub Walks - Bramhall to Cheadle Hulme
CAMRA's Regional Pubs of the Year 2021
Greater Manchester - Cob & Coal, Oldham
Cheshire - Malt Disley, Disley
Cider and Perry - Wassailing with Gillian Hough
Scribbles on a Beer Mat
Winter Walmers - Cosy Peak Pubs with Real Fires
Brewery News - Libatory Brewing Lakes Brew Co Ralf & Alf
Sureshot Brewing Set to Launch Lees Seasonals More from Howard Town;
Pub News - The Bottle Mill SupNorth Marble Arch Award Tameside Update
Presentations - George Hotel in Hayfield Fletcher Moss in Didsbury Chiverton Tap in Cheadle Hulme
January Pub of the month - Gateway on Wilmslow Road, East Didsbury
February Pub of the month - Petersgate Tap on St Petersgate, Stockport
Stagger - Great Moor to Heaviley with Lawrence Devaney
Read in its own window (large file).
November / December 2021 edition
Blue Plaque at the Printers Arms, Stockport Road, Cheadle
Gold Award for Robinsons
Early Days - Neil Kellet looks back to the Foundation of the branch
Obituary - Tony Allen
Peak District Pubs - A Pint Sized Social History
CAMRA Awards - Recent Presentations
Blossoms Blooms
Pub Walks - Hadfield to Old Glossop
Scribbles on a Beer Mat
Shady Oak back in business
Brewery News
- Assembly Brew Co
- Four Kings
- P-Noot Brew Co.
Talking About Beer with Stockport Talking Newspaper
Cider and Perry
- Walking In Cider Country
- There is a style of cider for everyone
November Pub of the month - Fletcher Moss on Albert Road, Didsbury
December Pub of the month - Moor Top on Heaton Moor Road, Heaton Moor
Read in its own window (large file).
September / October 2021 edition
Back at Last!
Stockport Beer Week
Destination Ardwick - A look around Manchester's brewery central
Stockport Pubs Under Threat
Howard Town - Change of ownership and new brewer (see right)
Modern British Cider
Obituaries: Stuart Ballantyne, John Reek, Jim Beeson, David & Peter Robinson
Pub Walks - Compstall
New Breweries - Thornsett Brewery & Hopyard; Big Stone Beer; Bridge Beers Brewery; Ventile Brew Co; Assembly Brew Co; SupNorth; Chadkirk Brew Co
September Pub of the month - Blossoms on Buxton Road, Heaviley
October Pub of the month -Wobbly Stamp on Stockport Road in Cheadle
Read in its own window (large file).
Submitting copy?
Guidelines for submitting information to Opening Times
Each issues is laid out in the first few days of the preceding month, with final copy required by the 10th of that month.
For example, to be included in the May issue, inform the editor by April 1st, with the final copy to the editor by April 10th.
Copy is accepted in most common formats, for example:
Documents: Word (.DOC or .DOCX), text (.TXT)
Graphics and photos: .JPG, .PNG, .GIF, .BMP
All graphics should ideally be in hi-resolution, 100% (no compression) format or PDF with fonts included format.
Contact
John Clarke, John Clarke, 45 Bulkeley Street, Edgeley, Stockport, SK3 9HD
Tel 0161 477 1973
E mail: stocam@btinternet.com
Advertising Rates
Advertising is now handled by Matelot Marketing who publishes Opening Times on behalf the Stockport & South Manchester Branch of CAMRA. Advertising matters can be discussed with the editor by emailing chairman@ssmcamra.co.uk. He is happy to advise about such things as size and format of advert, content and production of graphics if you are unable to do this yourselves.
Matelot Marketing can be contacted via http://www.matelotmarketing.co.uk/about-us.html
Rate Card
Opening Times is published bi-monthly and receives contributions from the High Peak, Tameside & NE Cheshire Branch and the Macclesfield & East Cheshire Branch.
5,500 copies are distributed across Stockport, South and East Manchester (except Chorlton and Hulme) and Tameside. There are also numerous outlets in Macclesfield and East Cheshire, Manchester City Centre, Glossop and North West Derbyshire.
| Size | Cost | Width | Height |
| Eighth page | £65 + VAT | 9.00cm | 6.30cm |
| Quarter page | £105 + VAT | 9.00cm | 13.00cm |
| Half page - vertical | £175 + VAT | 9.00cm | 27.00cm |
| Half page - horizontal | £175 + VAT | 19.00cm | 13.00cm |
| Full page | £275 + VAT | 19.00cm | 27.00cm |
| Full page - no border | £275 + VAT | 21.00cm + bleed | 29.70cm + bleed |
This card can be dowloaded from www.ssmcamra.co.uk/images/RateCard.pdf in .pdf format.
Discounts
Available for ¼ page and above:
- 10% for a run of three or more
- 15% for a run of six or more
- The runs do not have to be consecutive
This can be accepted in most formats but ideally hi-res 100% JPEG or PNG (no compression) alternatively PDF with fonts included format.
Artwork should be sent to stocam@btinternet.com
Final copy date for artwork is 15th of the preceding month (e.g. 15 February for the March/April issue. Queries to:
Local contact: John Clarke ( stocam@btinternet.com , 0775 383 6898)
Matelot Maketing: Neil Richards OBE ( N.richards@btinternet.com , 07710 281381)