Visited on: Sunday 22nd January 2017
Bob Thompson
Often new micropubs adopt names that reference the previous use of the premises they are located in. The Chiverton Tap is no exception in this respect. For seventy years the building was occupied by Arthur Chiverton who operated a drapery and millinery store.
He is still with us in a sense as the floor at the entrance door displays his name in small mosaic tiles and the pub’s logo is based upon that design.
The people behind the pub are Bob and Mary Ellis who are lawyers and Andrew O’Shea who is a lecturer in the world of hospitality and catering. It opened in May 2015 and was successful from the start. So much so that another micropub has been opened by the same team, the Mounting Stone in nearby Bramhall. I have yet to visit it but I’m looking forward to doing so.
When Linda and I called in the pub was packed and we were lucky to get a seat. It has very large windows that supply a considerable amount of light to the main room. The bar counter is directly opposite the door and although the top is of varnished wood, the rest of the structure looks as it is made of reclaimed pallets. In the front are three display panels with perspex
Right of the entrance is a number of circular wooden tables with chairs that are built around the supporting pillars. Turning left the is a shelf along the window with accompanying stools. The middle of the room contains a number of tables, both round and square with four chars each. On the far wall are padded bench seats with a shelf above which is where the boxed games are stored. The door to the toilets acts as a giant blackboard showing the beers currently on offer.
There were six cask beers to be had when we visited. These were as follows: Arbor (Easton, Bristol) Motueka (3.8%), a single hop variety beer; Wiper & True (Bristol) Milk Shake (5.6%), a milk stout; Vocation (Cragg Vale, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire) Heart and Soul (4.4%), a session IPA; Squawk (Ardwick, Greater Manchester) Pale Ale (4.3%) and two from Bollington (Bollington, Cheshire) Best Bitter (4.2%) and Long Hop (3.9%), a hoppy pale ale. There is always a Bollington beer on the bar as the brewery assisted with the birth of the pub.
Well worth a visit, and it is very close to Cheadle Hulme station.
NOTE: Since we visited they have added a second floor room and an outside drinking area, so no a longer a micropub. However the ethics remain the same, such as cask beer, no music or televisions, and so on.
Important Information:
Chiverton Tap, 8 Mellor Road, Cheadle Hulme SK8 5AU. Tel: 0161_485_4149
Web: facebook.com/thechivertontap
Hours: Monday-Thursday: 16.00-22.30; Friday-Saturday: 12.00-23.00; Sunday: 12.00-22.30.
Cheadle Hulme railway station is less than five minutes from the pub.
There are several exits from the station.
From Platform 1 go down to street level, turn left after the bridge.
Mellor Road is on the right. Pub is on right.
From Platform 2 and 3 go down to the street. Mellor Road is opposite. Go along it, pub is on right.
From Platform 4 go to street level, turn right under bridge, then left into Mellor Road, pub is on right.
Cheadle Hulme station is served buses on routes 307, 313. 428 and 877.