June 2026. Shipley.
Despite the lure of a pint in Shipley’s top-rated pub, and a chance for Mrs RM to use David Hockney for a boost in views like I did with Humphrey, we called it a night after that curry.
But as we headed back to the Travelodge, next to the half-decent Noble Comb (not its original name, I warrant), I found myself bemused by Shipley’s pubs.
This is the eight I’ve ticked, all in the last 10 years;
Few towns have seen such change in a decade, a micro wave coming and just as quickly receding. I rated that Odd Fellows one of the very best small pub/clubs anywhere, sounding its death knell.
Hullabaloo is now Reconnection, the Crafty Kernel looked good but only lasted 9 months before becoming Bar Remedy and then closing, and Sir Norman Rae, sold off by Spoons, is now the Pride of Shipley.
NOT to be confused with the old Shipley Pride, which is now the Beehive. I can’t keep up.
The only cask constant is The Fox, and that didn’t even exist 20 years ago.
Thank goodness (perhaps) the town centre never changes. I’ve never been in the two keg boozers (ugh) by the clock*,
but I did nip in the Market Cafe for a strong double espresso the next morning.
And even that shows up twice on Google Maps, once as Market Choice Cafe. I can’t explain.
Stick a hand pump in there and get it in the GBG.
retiredmartin 