Lancashire bar claims to be Britain’s biggest

A beer hall in Lancashire has set a record to become the biggest bar in Britain, its owners have claimed.

Louise Williams, duty manager at the Bowland Beer Hall, measures what is thought to be Britain’s longest bar

The first pints were pulled at the £10m Bowland Beer Hall development at Holmes Mill, Clitheroe, in July as part of the first phase to bring a previously derelict, town centre industrial building back to life as a food, drink and leisure hub.

The people at James’ Places – the business behind the Beer Hall – are now making the audacious claim that the venue boasts the longest bar in the country – and are now challenging publicans countrywide to prove them wrong.

The giant horseshoe-shaped counter of the Beer Hall, which houses 42 artisan cask ales, measures a vast 105ft 8ins long (or, for the Eurocentric reader, 32.25m).

“The longest continuous British bar up until now is thought to be the Horseshoe Bar in Glasgow, measuring 104ft and three inches,” James’ Places group marketing manager Heidi Kettle said.

“According to our measurements – and we had to buy a special surveyor’s tape measure to check because conventional ones just aren’t long enough –the Beer Hall takes the crown, unless anyone out there knows differently.”

More news…

London council moves to protect 120 pubs
Historically interesting pubs

The Beer Hall is a showcase and tasting parlour for Bowland Brewery, which is located at the back of the Beer Hall. On tap is the full range of beers from the Bowland Brewery, plus interesting regional beers including offerings from Lancaster Brewery, York Brewery and Dark Horse Brewery.

As well as boasting a gargantuan bar, the mill restoration also features a large function room which can serve as a pop-up cinema as well as hosting music and events, a bakery and an ice cream parlour. 

Subsequent phases of the restoration of Holmes Mill will include a 30-bedroom hotel, a gym, a pool and urban spa, and a food hall.

The whole project, scheduled to be finished by mid-2018, is expected to bring up to 180 new jobs to Clitheroe.