The Bob Inn, Chorley

The Bob Inn occupies a market stall in the main market area of Chorley. With Tuesday being the main market day for the town, it was doing a roaring trade, despite its main size. The unit itself is tiny, but it is possible for 3 or 4 people to stand around the bar. Others can stand in the passageway in the market itself. Seating areas are available in the street outside and in a small indoor area diagonally opposite within the market. 3 real ales are available. On our visit, these were Three B's Bobbins, Bingley Norr Drift & Wigan Brewhouse Old Boston. I opted for the last one of these 3, which was a plum porter. In addition, they also have a real cider, which was Lilley's Rhubarb Cider. Another CAMRA discount was given for a half. One of 3 micropubs in the town, this one is well worth a visit.

Stall on the periphery of the covered market, with service from a compact counter on the indoor side. There is also a screened seating area opposite plus a small area of covered benches outside shared with other traders (which can also be served directly from a glass-fronted hatch). Three real ales and a couple of ciders available from the five handpumps, and my pint of Motown from Wigan Brewhouse was in excellent shape and fine value at £2.70. My visit was shortly before the coronavirus restrictions changed (yet again) so it was still possible to stand and talk to the friendly landlord and customers, and I thought this was an excellent example of its type of micro-pub.

I have been in a few of these market stall ‘pubs’ now and i’m still not sure if I like them. It all feels a bit too pop-up and disposable. Any atmosphere tends to just blend into the market as a whole. This one, however, was pleasant and its down to earth feel fits into Chorley quite well. Good well kept ales. I had some Indonesian food next door which is highly recommended if you like lemongrass.