Pub of the week: The Croppers, Huddersfield

It possesses all the virtues – cosy and convivial, the pub has a cast of characterful regulars who are adept at amusing anecdotes, a landlord with a twinkle in his eye and a decent rack of ales. The visitor would spot in an instant why this place at Westbourne Road, Marsh, has been a vital part of the community for decades.

Along with the Slubbers in Huddersfield, it owes its name to the textile industry – croppers being the men who cropped the cloth. Overseeing it all is Nigel Saxton, a laid-back businessman who has been at the pub for more than 20 years and who celebrated two decades with a party when the prices were put back to the day he took over in the 1980s.

Although the recession has affected almost everyone, he has been fortunate in that the pub has always been a little goldmine, enabling him to live on one of Huddersfield’s most expensive streets – Daisy Lea Lane – and more importantly in the best part of it.

Nigel has worked hard for it but has been helped by the pub’s reputation for good food, excellent ales, good company and bed and breakfast. The bedrooms are regularly used by all manner of companies and inevitably those staying then eat and drink in the bar and restaurant.

Ales regularly on sale include Bombardier, Golden Pippin, Doombar and Shropshire Gold, all are kept in excellent condition.

THE VERDICT

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