We’re delighted to that we are finalists in the Publican Awards!

The Publican Awards are renowned in the hospitality industry for recognising the best operators in the sector within a wide range of categories, picking out the businesses that set the standards for the rest to follow.

We are finalists in the Best Operations Teams category, which refers to our wonderful support team who have been nominated due to their effectiveness in innovation, leadership and business success.

Please wish us the best of luck for the future interviews and announcement in March.

We’ve been busy refurbishing the oldest pub in our family. The Spread Eagle is about as traditional as pubs get, with low ceilings, exposed beams and stone floors. Situated just off the Peak Forrest Canal, since the 18^th Century it has been the perfect spot for weary travellers. Nowadays the ‘Spread’ is loved by locals for its extensive drinks range and popular premium carvery.

Following a substantial investment, the refurbishment is sympathetic to the pub’s longevity and our guests can expect leather furnishing, stained wood and high-end décor.

James Almond said “I’m over the moon with the scheme and overall quality of this refurbishment. It’s always so important to my family and I to be true to a pub’s history and we believe we’ve done just that
“We’re dedicated to breathing life into these old buildings, and while the ‘Spread’ wasn’t desperate for the revamp, we’re always keen to reinvest and add more sparkle to our popular pubs”

The Spread Eagle has opened with a new menu, featuring delightful winter warmers such as Doug Almond’s Lamb Henry, a selection of hand-raised artisan pies and more…just in time for the festive period!

We have some very exciting news to share with you.

Our brand-new menu is launching tomorrow, and you’ll see the biggest enhancements to date.

With dishes tailored to the Autumn & Winter seasons, you’ll find traditional pub classics, such as a handpicked selection of artisan pies alongside our brand-new ‘Doug Almond’s’ Famous Lamb Henry – ¼ lamb shoulder that falls off the bone with carrot and swede mash, winter greens and minted gravy.

From sandwiches and salads to burgers and steaks, you’ll find something to suit every taste.

We have brand new starters including:

Our mains include:

We also have a brand new desserts menu which will see the return of:

We’re pleased to confirm our ‘No Gluten Ingredients’ menu has also been updated, and we’re delighted to let you know that we have introduced a full veggie and vegan menu, which includes all of our most popular dishes, adapted to suit every requirement.

Alongside our new menu, you can still enjoy our famous carvery every day of the week at the Fletchers Arms, Puss in Boots and Spread Eagle, and every Sunday at the Jolly Sailor… Choose from our tender, overnight roasted joints, served with an array of seasonal vegetables & complete with gravy and a giant Yorkie pud!

This week has been an exciting one for Almond Family Pubs. We’ve been endorsed not one, not twice, but 3 times! And by some very famous faces…

Last but definitely not least… The Jolly sailor was recently mentioned by the VERY famous Jason Manford. Jason Manford is local to the area and has been spotted a few times in the Jolly, enjoying a carvery or participating in our weekly quiz.. When recently interviewed, Jason was asked his favourite pub and after a thought, he said the Jolly Sailor!! We’re so pleased to be mentioned and we look forward to welcoming him back soon!

In what has become one of the most anticipated dates in the pub groups calendar, Saturday 13th July saw 400 guests join the Almond family for their 10^th One Small Step Pub Walk.

The Stockport pub company has four pubs in the area which are each visited along the scenic 10 mile walk. Starting at the Fletchers Arms in Denton, stopping off at the Spread Eagle, Puss in Boots and finishing the day with a celebration party at the Jolly Sailor in Davenport with a bouncy castle, raffle and much more.

As well as being a fun filled day the event’s main purpose is to raise money for the Foundation for Prader-Willi Research UK (FPWR UK), a charity close to the family’s hearts due to company director Vicki Williams’ daughter being diagnosed with Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) at just 2 weeks old. Bella, now 11, joined the droves for the second half of the walk and was delighted to be joined by six other friends from the PWS community.

Prader-Willi Syndrome is rare, with only 1 in 20,000 children being born with it in the UK every year, meaning events such as these are so important as they raise awareness of the syndrome, help build communities and of course raise money for research to help improve the lives of those living with it.

Vicki Williams said, “Over the 10 years we’ve been holding this event, it’s grown and grown. We had record numbers this year and we were pleased to see many new walkers as well as some who have joined us on every event.

“Our fundraising from Saturday currently stands at £14,500, which is just incredible! Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the event what it is.”

The £14,000 raised this weekend brings total fundraising in Bella’s name for the charity to £167,000.

If you’d like more information about the charity, please visit – https://fpwr.org.uk/

For more information about the pubs, visit – https://www.almond-pubs.co.uk/

Every year, Marie Eaton (our Finance Manager) takes on a new challenge to raise well-needed funds and awareness for the Foundation of Prader-Willi Research UK (FPWR UK). The charity is one that is close to our hearts as it provides funds for research into Prader-Willi Syndrome, which our director, Vicki William’s daughter was diagnosed with at 2 weeks old.

This year was no different.

On the 27th April, Marie gathered over 30 team members and friends of Almond Family Pubs and triumphed over the Born Survivor’s mud-fuelled, assault course. This wasn’t just a regular mud-run, we’re talking about a gruelling (but oh-so-rewarding) 10k obstacle course designed by Royal Marine commandos, featuring mud, sweat, and probably a few tears.

So far, the team has raised an amazing £2,875, up and over their original goal!
This money is vital for the Foundation for Prader-Willi Research UK, so that they can continue with research projects that will eliminate the challenges that PWS presents.

Marie is a regular fundraiser for FPWR UK and we are so grateful for her commitment and fundraising… We wonder what she will do next year?

The day will include a pub pit stop at the Spread Eagle, lunch at the Puss in Boots, and finishing with a celebration party at the Jolly Sailor.

There will be a raffle, DJ, bouncy castle & more…

We really hope to see some familiar faces there again, as well as many new walkers. We would love you to invite friends and family and help us make the 10^th event even more memorable!

If you have any questions at all please visit our FAQs page or contact Hannah – Hannah@almond-pubs.co.uk

At Almond Family Pubs, we love to give gratitude where it is deserved and this year at our annual Staff party we did just that.
There were many internal awards throughout the pubs such as Chef of the Year (which went to our Lovely chefs Lois & Rob) and Bartender of the Year (which went to everyone’s favourite, Teigan), but perhaps the most prestigious award of the night was the highly anticipated Leader of the Year Award. This was a ‘People’s Choice’ award, voted by staff members throughout the pubs. This year it went to Luke Finnigan, with 41.3% of his team’s vote.

Joining the Almond family in 2017, Luke is a well-loved member of the team and a staple at the Spread Eagle, which is evident from the lovely comments his team gave him…

For his management skills in delegating, the workload to members of the staff who are most appropriate,
Allowing staff to build on them skills within the company. Always being an approachable. When staff need a problem solving Luke is always reachable, whether in work or away. Dedication to work environment, always looking at improvements and ideas that he can put forward. (Probably the best, Manager I have worked for throughout my 35 years working life)

We’re so pleased to see Luke get the recognition he deserves. Well done Luke!

Get Quizzing with Rob Keen

Pens at the ready!