Tuesday 21st January 2014

Bob Thompson

Until recently this pub was known as "The Railway" and was owned by Robinson's Brewery of Stockport. Over the last few years Robinson's have been selling pubs that longer fit in with their corporate plan. As can be expected these are generally those that have a low turn-over and tend to be small community pubs that sell drinks only. By all reports The Railway was pretty run down, yet was well located just outside of Romiley station from which it got its name.

The station was opened in 1862 and was a terminus of the line for year until the railway was extended to Marple in 1863. The station is still in more or less original condition and the buildings on the Manchester-bound platform look down on the pub. I would guess that it opened shortly after the station.

It is commendable that Robinson's do not impose covenants on the use of the pubs that they sell on. The Railway was purchased by Janice Wright in 2012 and was completely rebuilt internally, emerging from this as Platform One. There is restaurant on the upper floor and this is known as Platform Two. The decor is modern yet it is still unmistakably a pub.

I was with Linda and Mike on the rainy evening that we visited. I was thankful for the short distance from the station to Pub, and I must say, it looked very welcoming from the street. Inside the bar was noticed on the left. The predominant colour is yellow and few features from its previous life are retained, such as the waist high wood panelling and a nice old fireplace. The furnishings range from leather sofas and armchairs through normal wooden pub tables to tall tables with high chairs. The walls are decorated with paintings.

There was a good selection of cask beers as follows. Black Sheep (Masham, North Yorks) Bitter (3.8%); Red Willow (Macclesfield, Cheshire) Feckless Best (4.1%); Storm Brewing (Macclesfield, Cheshire) Ale Force (4.2%) and Moorhouse's (Burnley, Lancs) White Witch (4.0%).

From the Hornbeam Brewery (Denton, Greater Manchester) there was a special named Janice (abv unknown). I presume this is named after the Landlady.

Hornbeam brews several beers with female names, so maybe they do this for more than one pub. There was also John Smith's (Tadcaster, North Yorks) Bitter (3.8%).

This is an excellent pub with a pleasing selection of draught beers. Its proximity to Romiley station makes it an easy destination to visit.

Important Information:

Platform One, 6 Stockport Road, Romiley, Greater Manchester SK6 4BN. Tel: 0161 406 8686

There are two routes operated by Northern Rail from Manchester Piccadilly to Romiley. One is direct and other is via Guide Bridge. The direct route is the quickest and most frequent.
The trains continue to New Mills and Chinley.

If arriving from the Manchester direction go down the approach road and turn right under the railway bridge. You will then see the pub on the right. From the opposite platform just walk down the sloping path that actually runs behind the pub.