Telephone: 01900 824071

Our winter Pub of the Season is in Cockermouth: the Black Bull on Main Street.

Bev and Billy Kivell took the pub over almost exactly 3 years ago, in December 2000. Bev had previously worked part time in pubs, including the Dolphin in Whitehaven, and was assistant manager of the Bush further along Main Street. Husband Billy was in the army, serving in Northern Ireland, before moving to the Sellafield fire and rescue service. It was always their plan to have a pub of their own when daughter Kirsty grew up.

The Black Bull was owned by Scottish and Newcastle and was completely refurbished when Bev and Billy took it over. It now has flagstone and wooden floors, and wooden wall panelling. The couple have made a number of other improvements themselves, such as a baby change area (there is a children¹s certificate until 9pm) and a sheltered beer garden at the back. Despite a slightly anxious start when Foot and Mouth Disease hit Cumbria the following February, the Black Bull has been extremely successful.

A recent development is a fourth handpump, allowing three guest beers. Theakston¹s Cool Cask is a regular beer, and Courage Directors will feature on the guest beer list. Bev was always determined to sell a range of real ales, and part of the deal with S&N was that she could order her own choice of beers through Flying Firkin. Staff choose guest beers from the Flying Firkin list, and customers can put in their own requests. CAMRA regulars make frequent suggestions for guest beers. Examples include Woodforde¹s Norfolk Nog, and Triple FFF Moondance, and beers from Boggart Hole Clough.

Bev and Billy have from the start wanted a pub which welcomes customers of all ages, and have been concerned to ensure the pub is trouble-free; a yellow card scheme is in operation and customers know that misbehaviour is likely to get them banned. The atmosphere is friendly. Bev and Billy became grandparents in April 2001 and granddaughter Shannon is a great hit with all the regulars.

The pub is popular for lunches and features traditional English cooking; food is also available early evening in the summer, except at weekends. In the evenings the Black Bull is very popular with younger drinkers; Bev has a Public Entertainment Licence, and Thursday night usually alternates between karaoke and a disco. On Fridays and Saturdays there is live music. And the spin off is that a lot of the younger drinkers are tempted to try some of the varied real ales the Black Bull has on offer.

If you are in Cockermouth for the beer festival why not pay the Black Bull a visit?