The team behind Salford’s The Black Friar reopened the beloved pub last October
Horse & Jockey, Chorlton’s historic pub which is now operated by Bigger Boat Hospitality - the team behind popular Salford gastropub The Black Friar, has been awarded the regional Pub & Bar Award for Greater Manchester after less than a year of operating.
The venue which reopened in October 2025, after being lovingly restored by Bigger Boat Hospitality Director Neil Burke and business partner Ben Chaplin, was returned to its former glory alongside Joseph Holt Brewery, complete with those cosy pub interiors and the same down-to-earth, friendly hospitality that the team at The Black Friar are renowned for.
On receiving the award, Neil Burke said: “We are incredibly proud to receive the Pub & Bar 2026 Award for Greater Manchester. Since opening last October, it has been a true labour of love to restore this historic pub and bring it back to its full potential.
“As a Chorlton local myself, the Horse & Jockey is a pub that’s been really special to me. I’ve spent plenty of time here over the years and have seen first hand how important the pub is to the community. At Bigger Boat Hospitality, we work to take on venues that have been overlooked or left behind and breathe new life into them in a way that feels authentic to the people who use them every day.
“The Horse & Jockey offers something unique - the charm and atmosphere of a traditional country pub right in the heart of one of Manchester’s most vibrant neighbourhoods. We’re proud to serve Joseph Holt’s full range of bitters, ales and lagers, all brewed right here in Manchester alongside a seasonal food menu created using produce from trusted local suppliers.
“This award is a huge testament to the hard work and passion our team has put into the pub over the past few months. Seeing the pub buzzing again and being embraced by the community has been the biggest reward of all. As we head into our first full summer of trading, we’re excited to build on that momentum, welcome even more people through our doors and continue creating a pub that Chorlton can be proud of.”
Horse & Jockey, 9 Chorlton Green, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester M21 9HS
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