The two bars in the Moose group - Moose of Hale and the recently opened Moose of Chorlton have changed their name to "The Elk". In announcing the change, the bars tweeted #TakenDownByTheBiggerMoose later revealing that the name change was due to complaint by Moose Coffee who have two shops in Liverpool and one in central Manchester. Not wanting to get into extended dispute, the bar version decided to be proactive and change the name. All other aspects of the two bars remain unchanged.
Another name change in Chorlton has seen The Shak becoming The Jam Inn. The Wilbraham Road bar is now 100% owned by Paul Duffy who previously had a third share in former owners Shak Enterprises and brings the bar into the same ownership as Whalley Range's Jam Street Café - hence the name change. There are three handpumps on the bar - on a recent visit they were Fell Brewery Tinderbox IPA, First Chop AVA & Marstons Wainwright. The bar is now doing food Tuesday – Friday 4pm-9pm & Saturday – Sunday 1pm-8pm, including Sunday roasts.
We recently reported on the sad loss of John Glover, landlord of the Old Market Tavern in Altrincham. Since then the future of the pub has been uncertain. It has been reported that the pub will be under new management in the near future, although it is believed that John's daughter Amy will continue behind the bar of the pub and no immediate changes are planned. As any change of management is always going to raise concerns about the future, especially for a much loved community pub such as the OMT, a group of concerned locals including local CAMRA members going under the name "Friends of the Old Market Tavern" have submitted an application to Trafford Council to have the pub listed as an Asset of Community Value.
Across the Altrincham's Old Market place, Enterprise Inns have installed new management at the Orange Tree which is open again following the departure of the team behind Chorlton's Beech Inn. Initial reports said beers on the bar were Lancaster Bomber and Taylor's Landlord and that Sky Sports is back.