PUB REVIEW: The Bobbin Micropub - a real gem on Leigh Road

We still see reminders of that today, with magnificent Leigh Spinners building being a legacy of ‘the way we worked’.

But do we also get a nod to that industrial heritage while nipping for a quick pint at The Bobbin micropub. Or is it simply, as the guides suggest, that it gets a name from the sewing shop near to its previous location?

What is not up for debate is the quality of this tidy little one-room boozer in terms of design, service, atmosphere and most importantly beer. For drinkers, the Bobbin is a little gem.

It is often a tough act for pubs located a stone’s throw from a Wetherspoon - and as you make your way north up Leigh Road you will pass the pub chain’s Thomas Burke - named after the Lancashire Caruso. See, you get plenty of local history just through boozing - and even more through earwigging.

Keep going and you find the Bobbin micropub, which has been thriving here since moving into this one-time betting shop.

It comprises a single open-plan room, but it is spacious - maybe fitting in about 10-12 tables with plenty of seating. The predominantly glass frontage gives it a bright, airy feel during the hours of daylight.

If you read the signs, some customers have a choice between the Naughty Corner or the Happy Place. I should be in the former but was definitely in the latter after an hour in here.

The background music on this visit was classic 60s and 70s - loud enough to provide a good vibe, but not at intrusive levels, ensuring that conversation remained king.

“This is what I come for,” rejoiced one happy punter getting out of his seat as the Rolling Stones came on the speaker.

Music seems to be a feature here, with the place hosting regular acoustic sessions - check the pub’s Facebook page for details.

The walls and doors boast CAMRA awards dating back to 2017 and it has been a regular entrant in the last six of drinkers’ bible the Good Beer Guide since 2019.

And you can see why - there’s an ever changing range of decent cask ale, from light to dark - all in pristine condition and not too hard on the pocket.

Plenty of those were sourced from regional micro-breweries and they flag up what they have up on the bar on their Bobbin Facebook.

But this was a flying visit.

And first up was a Cascade Pale from North Riding Brewery at a nice, citrussy, light, easy drinkable 4% and it went down a treat.

I tried to switch to a local one next - with a dabble on a weightier looking George Shaw Leigh Pale at 4.6% but alas, despite the several gallant pulls it was having none of it.

The barrel had just gone necessitating a quick switch to 4Ts Raging Bull brewed down the road in Warrington.

This is a triple-hopped session pale, at 3.9%. It has a smack of pink grapefruit, pine and citrus aromas - but I don’t think it counts as three of your five a day.

It was back over the Pennines - in beer terms - with another light one next. This time a pale golden Beyond the Pale from Elland Brewery - a bit richer than the others and coming in at 4.2% on the pump clip.

There was time for one for a very quick half for the road - and a switch to a dark one, with Hophurst’s Porteresque which was a weightier 5.5%.

Brewed up the road in Hindley, this rich stout was definitely one to savour - with a flavour that lingered on the palate without being too heavy.

The beauty of places like the Bobbin is that they change them all regularly - and if cask isn’t your thing the board flags up Skuna craft lager and cider, real ciders, Birra Moretti and even Prosecco at £14 a bottle. Something for all tastes.

Well worth a visit - check out the opening days and times before you go.