West Cumbria & Western Lakes Branch
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West Cumbria & Western Lakes Branch |
Pub of the Season: The Brook, Cleator
Our summer Pub of the Season is a little unusual in that it has been open less than 6 months!
Kirsty Bennett and Paul Bell bought the Brook Inn, Cleator back in October last year, and opened just before Christmas. They moved from St Bees to take on the pub. It had been closed for a year when they took it on, and required a complete refurbishment.
The Brook is the first pub that Kirsty and Paul have run and so far they have thoroughly enjoyed their first venture in the licensed trade. They have turned it into a traditional village pub with some unusual rustic features. It’s now a light, airy place with white painted walls, flagged floors, exposed beams and a welcoming open fire. Warm candlelight creates a relaxing atmosphere for locals, coast to coasters or anyone wanting to enjoy a range of cask ales and home cooking.
The best elements of various pubs which Kirsty and Paul have admired are successfully combined in the Brook. A crucial part of this was keeping real beer. They started with three handpumps, and have now increased to four. The beer range includes a mix of tried and tested beers from other parts of the country, such as Timothy Taylor’s Landlord and Marston’s Pedigree, and beers from Cumbrian breweries such as Dent, Coniston and Yates. The pub attracts customers of all ages, and the choice of real beers has gone down well.
The couple stress that they want to be guided by local people in deciding how to develop the pub. They are pleased that there is already a real community spirit and customers are fiercely supportive of the Brook. They have an established darts and dominoes knockout tournament on Tuesday evenings, and the Thursday quiz raises money for the Cleator Pensioners’ Fund.
Kirsty is keen to develop an excellent reputation for quality home cooked food at a reasonable price. The menu currently offers simple traditional cooking; the wide range of homemade rolls is a special feature for which customers keep coming back. Locals have had an input into the menu providing specialities such as Ray’s piccalilli and pickled red cabbage; and Kenny’s blackberry jam, eaten with bread toasted on the open fire.
Both Kirsty and Paul enjoy live music and encourage local musicians to take part in an ‘open mike’ night on Wednesdays; there is usually a band on Friday evening. The pub is not far from the Coast to Coast walk, and walkers often deviate off a mile or so to grab some refreshment. The pub welcomes children, dogs, boots, bikes and backpacks! The Brook is certainly a good reason for a deviation, and we hope many others, Cumbrians and visitors alike, will go along and see what a super job Kirsty and Paul are doing.