North: Spring Inn

Rochdale, Lancashire

Licensees John Cadwallader and Carol Holden leave no stone unturned to ensure that the Spring Inn remains at the heart of the local community. The sheer number of events held in the pub and number of local clubs that meet there means few local residents are unaware of the unique community role it plays.

What's more, the couple are always on the lookout for new things to try and services to put on. Recent innovations include a new book exchange club to help support the pub's nominated charity, the Springhill Hospice. This is just one extra bonus for regulars who can surely claim to get far more than most local pubs are able to offer their customers.

John and Carol have been running the JW Lees' managed house for nine years, which has given them a unique insight into the community and the chance to get to know their customers inside out.

The couple expect to raise more than £7,000 for the hospice this year, but it is the community spirit that the fundraising generates that means such a lot for the pub's regulars. "We do not think there can be many pubs that enjoy such a close relationship with the locals," claims Carol. "It's led to a fantastic network of friends right through the local neighbourhood."

Even newcomers get the unique Spring Inn treatment as soon as they move into the area thanks to Carol's contacts, which means there is rarely a new arrival without her knowing about it.

She explains: "We write to everyone who moves into the area enclosing a newsletter giving them a diary of events taking place in the pub and inviting them down to have a drink with us. It's a real ice breaker for newcomers and helps them settle into the locality."

John and Carol also encourage their staff to get involved with the pub and the regulars, which often leads to them learning completely new skills. Recently, staff members embarked on an 18-week sign language course specifically to help the local Deaf Club, which has regular meetings in the pub. Visually impaired customers can now listen to the pub's food and drink menu via a special Walkman made available to them.

Apart from its wealth of community activities and local club meetings, the Spring Inn is also a busy pub in its own right. Seven chefs make up part of the 43-strong workforce that helped the outlet achieve wet and dry sales of more than £400,000 last year.