A pub in Oldham where ‘digital devices are banned’ is reopening tomorrow following a two-year closure. The Commercial Inn in Shaw shut its doors in 2022 but it has now been confirmed by the brewery which operates the pub that it will open once more.
The pub, on Smallbrook Road, is operated by independent brewery Samuel Smith’s based in Tadcaster, Yorkshire. It mainly runs small pubs across the north of England.
Samuel Smith’s confirmed the pub’s reopening to the Manchester Evening News, saying that it will be open for business on May 2, with opening hours of 11am to 11pm Monday to Saturday, and noon to 10.30pm on Sundays. But, patrons of the pub will need to comply with the brewery’s rules when it comes to using digital devices – including mobile phones. Samuel Smith’s states on its website that its pubs “are havens from the digital world”.
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You won’t find “TVs or background music” in their establishments. It states that “the use of mobile phones, laptops and other tech is not allowed in our pubs.” It adds: “Friendly pub conversation is encouraged (no swearing!) together with the responsible enjoyment of our beers.”
It may be welcome news to some visitors who are fed up seeing everyone with their phones out all of the time, but the strict technology rules could put some people off. Samuel Smith’s concludes that “you can enjoy good company, great beverages and friendly conversation” at its pubs.
Customers can expect beers brewed by Samuel Smith as well as their own cider as they don’t stock products from “big corporations”. There will be spirits sourced from “first-class independent suppliers” and wines sourced directly from designated countries of origin.