SatNav – OS: SJ942778, Postcode: SK10 5RE, ///ample.offices.remarking
CLOSED! – HOPEFULLY ONLY TEMPORARILY
In December 2024 the Poachers was taken over by a small pubco, Trust Inns
, who installed an absent tenant, who has unfortunately managed it in such a manner as to drive away the staff and regular customers who for so many years, under the excellent management of Helen & Rob Ellwood, regarded this lovely pub as their local. It was closed without notice at New Year 2026, with the staff made redundant without payment of outstanding salaries.
The future for the Poachers is uncertain but the pubco are looking for a new tenant. Hopefully this time they will install a resident couple which usually proves to be the best way of running a successful pub. Times are difficult for the hospitality industry, not helped by government tax policies (employment taxes, business rates, reduction in rates rebates, eco taxes on packaging, energy costs), so we all hope there can be a happy outcome.
Right on the boundary of Bollington and Rainow, this handsome stone building, adorned in summer with luxuriant window boxes and hanging baskets, houses a friendly and cosy award winning country pub. The staff are chatty and cheerful. It was the last free house in Bollington prior to December 2024.
| Address: | 95 Ingersley Road, Bollington, Macclesfield, SK10 5RE |
| Contact: | 01625-572086 | email | Facebook |
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Pleasant rear garden, access through the bar with a shelter. Barbecues in summer, weather permitting. Carpark across the lane at the side of the pub (please don’t obstruct the drives between the pub and the carpark). WIFI internet access available to customers. |
| Finding it: | At the north east end of town, from the bus turn round outside the Turners, go up Ingersley Road; The Poachers is at the end on the right. |
History
Originally called ‘The Masons Arms’, the landlord and landlady after the first world war were Albert Swindells and Eliza Leigh. The Inn is on the boundary between Bollington and Rainow. A Boundary stone can be seen in the wall opposite the pub. The Inn was created by merging several cottages together over many years.
Later named ‘The Masonic Arms’.
And finally ‘The Poachers Inn’ which was owned and run by Rob & Helen Ellwood from July 2000 to 2nd December 2024. On that date the pub was sold to Trust Inns and managed by Paul Newman.
Rob & Helen Ellwood
End of an era! Rob & Helen took over the Poacher’s in July 2000 and developed the pub to become arguably Bollington’s most popular house for over 24 years, leaving for retirement in France on 2nd December 2024. Bollington’s last Free House, the selection of beers offered was brilliant – it was basically the local headquarters of CAMRA! Excellent and popular table fare, often cooked by Helen, was served lunch and dinner six days a week. Christmas dinner was always a sell out!
Rob & Helen were deservedly recognised by Bollington Town Council for their exceptional charity fund raising over so many years. In their 24 years hosting the Poacher’s they have raised c.£150,000 for local charities and community organisations; what a fantastic record! As if running a pub wasn’t enough, Helen was for several years a councillor on Bollington Town Council, serving as Town Mayor in 2023/4. Rob was also a member of Dr Joe’s Medicine rock band, providing great entertainment in the pub and elsewhere.
This very popular couple are seriously missed by their hundreds of regulars and we all wish them bon voyage, good health and good fun with many decades of happy life in France. They were sent off with a great deal of genuine love.