Stockport’s bar scene continues to grow and this latest addition is one for the craft beer lovers
David Thorley, owner of a new bar in Stockport town centre(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
Opening a new bar is no small feat, especially in a town you don’t hail from, or know all too well.
However, Stockport is currently in the middle of the UK’s largest town centre regeneration so if you were going to take a punt on anywhere, then the south Manchester town is certainly worth a crack.
That’s what David Thorley reckoned too when he opened Saints Club on Petersgate in the town centre back in June.
He’s no novice though. Until recently he ran Brewsmith Brewery’s Bar, Broad Street Social, in Bury, before selling his share to his business partner James, and headed south of the M60 to try something new.
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“I sold that because I don’t live in Bury anymore, I have moved in with my partner and I was commuting up to Bury from Sandbach and it just wasn’t working,” reflects David as he shows us around the small but perfectly formed beer den just a few minutes walk from the historic Underbanks.
Saints Club opened in June on Petersgate (Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
Formerly a Christian charity shop called Rev 320, the site has been transformed with quirky artwork on the walls, fairy lights cascading from the ceiling and a fully stocked bar back, as well as impressive keg range.
There are still some remnants of its former life as a charity shop though. Elaborating on the name, David explained there’s a couple of inspirations behind it.
“I’m on St Peter’s Gate and used to be a Christian charity shop. There’s a crucifix on the door which I thought might be unlucky to take down.
Saints Club used to be a Christian charity shop(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
“It’s the door to the cellar so I’ve just repainted it. It was going to be called various things and went with the Saints Club and thought it would work – I want it to feel like it belongs to people, like it’s their club.”
It’s quite the makeover but there is one thing he’s still got to sort on his snag list.
“It’s still a work in progress as you’ve probably guessed by the sign. I have got it, but just waiting for the builder to come and help put it up and he’s been on holiday.”
Inside Saints Club in Stockport Town Centre(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
Final touches pending, the bar has been gathering quite a lot of momentum, and is one of many new openings on Petersgate in recent months. Soon, as well as trendy bars and proper pubs, there will be a gluten-free bakery and coffee shop too.
“I love it, everyone is positive, happy and generally it’s been a good experience. I didn’t know anyone from Stockport really but I’ve got to know people who come in.
“I’ve had loads of good will from people since opening, I keep seeing the same faces, so I’m getting a regular crowd, it’s just about trying to remember everyone’s names now,” jokes David.
David Thorley used to run Broad Street Social in Bury(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
Stockport is certainly a place that likes its craft beer, but with a younger crowd now drawn to the town, the new bar owner has also been keen to appeal to a range of tastes.
“I think I’ve probably got the most keg range in Stockport – at least for a small venue. I have 19 beer taps which 16 are keg, so that’s my USP. I’ve got sours, imperial stouts, ciders, but then also wines and gins.
“I’ve picked breweries that I’ve used before, specifically local, so I’ve got a good relationship with Neighbourhood, also Sureshot, and some of the best lagers you can get.”
The bar boasts 19 beer taps (Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
“In Bury I had six hand pulls and six keg lines, and here I’ve got fewer hand pulls and more on keg because the crowd is younger and they tend to drink the keg beers more.
“People are moving here from Manchester, there’s loads going on. People are just going out in Stockport don’t go to Manchester as much.
“You’re not going to have a bad night in Stockport now, there’s so many places to go.”
As well as beer, David serves up a range of wines, gins and cocktails (Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
On the boards, there’s everything from Deya Steady Rolling Man IPA, Vault City’s sour, Strawberry Sundae and Pabst Blue Ribbon, as well as an imperial stout, range of ciders and pale ales.
“In the craft beer world, I was a big fish in a small pond in Bury and here it’s the reverse, but I can make some ripples.”
When it comes to price though, Stockport might be on the up and inundated with new openings, but David isn’t seeking to match the drink prices of the city centre.
Saints Club opened in Stockport in June (Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
“I do think it’s gotten harder because of the cost of living basically and I don’t fleece people, I do really good quality beers but at a reasonable price, whereas you can go to Manchester and it will be a lot more expensive.”
As well as supporting local artists like Lee Crocker, whose artwork of everyday life from a surrealist perspective hangs on the wall, when David catches his breath he’ll also be launching an open mic night and Sunday evening quiz.
Above all else though, it’s about connecting with his new community and creating that home-away-from-home for his customers.
Saints Club in Stockport Town Centre(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
“You have to sort of be a therapist and a chat show host which sound glib but what I really liked in Bury is that sometimes people would come in on their own, and within six months or a year people would talk to the others that had come in on their own – and that’s the feel and vibe I’m going for here.
“If you can leave people happier going out of the bar than when they came in then you’ve more or less done your job, that’s what hospitality is, you’ve cracked it.”
22 Petersgate, Stockport, SK1 1HD