By Neil Sowerby
WHY take over an ailing pub straight across the road from your own successful one? It was a puzzle when Jonnie Booth and actor pal Rupert Hill (ex-Corrie, more recently baring all in The Full Monty) took over Gullivers on Oldham Street.
This was a boozer definitely in need of the kind of TLC Robinsons brewery lavished on The Castle and more recently Stockports Bakers Vaults, both under the canny stewardship of Jonnie and Rupert (plus Jamie Langrish of Chorltons The Parlour).
This time the pair are in partnership with JW Lees and, while the refurbishment is not as spectacular as in the other pubs, it is now a welcoming place in an stretch of street resolutely resisting Northern Quarterisation. The real attraction, though, is still a work in progress, the upstairs performance space much larger than at The Castle, which continues to be one of Manchesters liveliest intimate gig venues.
The pub is run by the personable Stephanie Price (pictured above with Jonnie). When I popped in to say hello mid-afternoon the cask beer selection seemed a mite depleted. Just JW Lees Bitter and their Manchester Pale Ale. I confess I am not a fan of either and am keeping fingers crossed for a raft of guest beers, which is the norm now cross the road, where Jonnie and Co have helped Robinsons relax their own tied policy. Early days, though, and Gullivers is definitely worth travelling to (ouch).
