The Taps

Lytham St Annes, Lancashire

Greene King managed house

For real-ale aficionados, the Taps in Lytham St Annes has become something of a magnet. And manager Ian Rigg is very happy to report that sales of its cask ales continue to increase. Eight different beers are available, including the pub's own Taps Bitter, brewed up by the Titanic Brewery in the Potteries.

Located in the centre of the seaside town, the Taps enjoys an important role in the community with sports playing a big part in the pub's success - it has teams competing in local golf, cricket and rugby tournaments.

It also does a lot of fundraising for charity and recently made more than £9,000 through an annual sponsored

bike ride. Proceeds were split between Cancer Research and a local adventure farm for children.

Food does not get that much of a look in, but anyone who fancies a well-cooked, simple snack will not be disappointed.

The pub has a very traditional look and feel with wooden floors, beams, coal fires and rugby-union memorabilia around the bar. But it is far from being stuck in a bygone era, Rigg is harnessing the power of the internet to keep his customers satisfied. In the past 12 months, the Taps' website has been extensively updated and customers can even email the licensee with their own suggestions for guest beers.

Another great success has been the introduction of Meet the Brewers nights, where locals get to sample beers for free and talk to brewers about the brewing process. These events happen four times a year and are not announced in advance.

Following the smoking ban, the Taps invested funds in creating a heated area outside. According to Rigg, this has proved a massive success and effectively created "another room" at the pub.

Plans are afoot to extend the smoking area later this year with an overhaul of the pub's back yard and a new sun deck.

The Taps has proved a continuing success by adapting to the needs of its customers, without losing sight of the traditional elements of a great pub.