The Northumberland Arms in Marple Bridge, Stockport, has been named among the best pubs in the UK by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA). The pub, which was saved from closure by locals in 2017, is one of 16 regional winners in CAMRA's Pub of the Year 2026 competition.
Community rescue story
Often referred to as 'The Thumb' by locals, the pub was previously owned by Robinsons Brewery. Several months after closing in 2017, a group of locals teamed up to buy the pub, and it was subsequently reopened as a community-run pub - one of around 50 in the whole country.
CAMRA named the pub the best in Greater Manchester in 2024 and 2026, and credited it for its 'varied range of well-kept' beers and for becoming the 'beating heart of its community' with its range of events and activities. The pub, which was also named High Peak CAMRA's Pub of the Season Winter 2024, hosts events including quiz nights, street food pop-ups, and coverage of live sports. It also takes part in the local CAMRA branch's 'Mild Magic' ale trail every year.
Competition progress
CAMRA's England regions and overall Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland winners have been crowned ahead of a busy Bank Holiday weekend for pubs. All 16 will now go forward to the next round of judging, advancing to the 'super-regional' stage of the competition. A 'final four' will be announced in October, ahead of the reveal of the overall National Pub of the Year in January 2027.
Andrea Briers, Pub of the Year competition Coordinator, said: "We have a formidable top 16 this year, with both familiar faces and some first-time winners in the mix. Behind each one is a deserving and hard-working team, running an amazing pub for their local community, and serving brilliant cask beer."
"Please make the most of this bank holiday weekend by showing your support for the UK’s amazing pubs. You never know, you might pick one that ends up a winner next year."
Calls for government action
The top 16 ranking comes just as politicians are returning from their summer break, with big decisions affecting publicans, brewers and beer drinkers to be made ahead of the UK Budget, which will take place on October 28. Ahead of that, CAMRA is asking the UK Government to make changes to tax arrangements for pubs and brewers, including VAT, draught beer duty and action on sky high energy bills.
The Campaign is also calling on the UK and devolved governments to urgently commit to a new, fairer system of business rates to help pubs compete with cheap supermarket alcohol, on top of the additional year of rates relief announced by the new Prime Minister for pubs in England last month.
Ash Corbett-Collins, CAMRA Chairman, said: "CAMRA’s Pub of the Year competition highlights the very best that the UK has to offer, but unfortunately, it’s much more common that licensees are struggling with day-to-day trading."
"The new Prime Minister and Chancellor have the power to change that. With the next UK Budget coming up, they could take action on business rates, draught beer duty and VAT, to deliver a Budget for beer drinkers and publicans."
The Northumberland Arms is located at 64 Compstall Road, Marple Bridge, Stockport.
