Our Pub Of The Season for Autumn 2025 is Head, Chester Road, Stretford.
This modern bar opened on the front of Stretford Mall facing Chester Road in 2018. Despite the challenges of global pandemics and the ongoing redevelopment of the Mall site behind it, it has quietly established itself as an important hub of the Stretford community and kept going while other bars & restaurants in the area have sadly fallen by the wayside. It plays host to mumerous local pub darts and pool teams but it's key USP is it's regular programme of music nights - both DJs and live music.
The focus on music is no suprise to those that know owner James "Gib" Gibson who has been playing solo and in bands around the Manchester area for over 20 years, during which time he also cut his teeth working in many bars in Chorlton and Manchester before branching out on his own with Head.
Of course, to be CAMRA Pub of The Season, something else Head has always done well is beer. From the outset the bar has sold two cask ales alongside a range of quality draft beers from local breweries. the cask pumps regularly feature beers from Timothy Taylor, RedWillow and Pomona Island while there are permanent keg lines for Cloudwater & Pomona Island plus several guests.
Although actually the award for the Autumn season, the certificate was presented on 21st August - just before the official start of Autumn.