{"id":214,"date":"2017-04-04T10:29:19","date_gmt":"2017-04-04T10:29:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/happyvalley.org.uk\/?page_id=214"},"modified":"2026-04-01T19:08:43","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T18:08:43","slug":"poachers-inn","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/happyvalley.org.uk\/?page_id=214","title":{"rendered":"Poacher&#8217;s Inn"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>SatNav &#8211; OS: SJ942778, Postcode: SK10 5RE, <a href=\"https:\/\/what3words.com\/ample.offices.remarking\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\/\/\/ample.offices.remarking<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-280 size-full\" title=\"Poachers Inn\" src=\"https:\/\/happyvalley.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/poachers_dscf02656x-260x150.jpg\" alt=\"Poachers Inn\" width=\"260\" height=\"150\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffff00; font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>NOW RE-OPENED<em>!<\/em>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>After a few weeks of closure <strong>the Poachers has re-opened<em>!<\/em><\/strong> It&#8217;s a soft launch, not everything is complete yet (20\/03\/2026), but they are looking forward to welcoming you!<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 100%; height: 468px;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"height: 27px;\">\n<td style=\"width: 17.7748%; vertical-align: top; height: 27px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong>Address:<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 80.3256%; vertical-align: top; height: 27px;\" colspan=\"2\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">95 <a href=\"https:\/\/happyvalley.org.uk\/?page_id=2312\">Ingersley Road<\/a>, Bollington, Macclesfield, SK10 5RE<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 27px;\">\n<td style=\"width: 17.7748%; vertical-align: top; height: 27px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong>Contact:<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 80.3256%; vertical-align: top; height: 27px;\" colspan=\"2\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><a href=\"tel:01625572086\">01625-572086<\/a> | <a href=\"mailto:info@thepoachers.org\">email<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ThePoachersInnbollington\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Facebook<\/a><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-14472\" src=\"https:\/\/happyvalley.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/external.png\" title=\"Going to an external website!\" width=\"10\" height=\"10\">&nbsp;<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 27px;\">\n<td style=\"width: 17.7748%; vertical-align: top; height: 27px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong>Hosts:<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 80.3256%;\" colspan=\"2\">Chris &amp; Katie Walton<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 27px;\">\n<td style=\"width: 17.7748%; vertical-align: top;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong>Open hours:<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 80.3256%; vertical-align: top;\" colspan=\"2\">\n<p>Changing weekly in opening weeks &#8211;<br \/>\nWeek beginning 30\/03\/2026: Tuesday &#8211; Sunday 12pm &#8211; 11pm<br \/>\nWeek beginning 06\/04\/2026: Open 7 days 12pm &#8211; 11pm&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 27px;\">\n<td style=\"width: 17.7748%; vertical-align: top;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong>Brews:<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 47.6792%; vertical-align: top;\">Good selection of draught beers. On the opening weekend they included Titanic Plum Porter, ShinDigger Session, Weetwood Cheshire Cat, Beartown Glacier, and Storm&#8217;s Desert Storm, plus a wide range of lagers. The <strong>Fridge of Fun<\/strong> is in place with it&#8217;s brilliant selection of European and other exotic beers!<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 32.6464%; vertical-align: top;\" rowspan=\"2\"><a href=\"https:\/\/happyvalley.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/314-005-poachers_bar.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-20844 size-medium\" title=\"Poachers bar\" src=\"https:\/\/happyvalley.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/314-005-poachers_bar-300x225.jpeg\" alt=\"Poachers bar\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/happyvalley.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/314-005-poachers_bar-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/happyvalley.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/314-005-poachers_bar-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/happyvalley.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/314-005-poachers_bar-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/happyvalley.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/314-005-poachers_bar-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/happyvalley.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/314-005-poachers_bar.jpeg 2016w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 27px;\">\n<td style=\"width: 17.7748%; vertical-align: top;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong>Food:<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 47.6792%; vertical-align: top;\">\n<p><span style=\"background-color: #ffff00;\"><strong>NO FOOD YET<em>!<\/em><\/strong> FOOD SERVICE WILL BEGIN IN MID APRIL<em>!<\/em><\/span> once the kitchen refurbishment is complete.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 17.7748%; vertical-align: top;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong>Other facilities:<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 80.3256%; vertical-align: top;\" colspan=\"2\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">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&#8217;t obstruct the drives between the pub and the carpark).&nbsp;<\/span> <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">WIFI internet access available to customers.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 27px;\">\n<td style=\"width: 17.7748%; vertical-align: top;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong>Finding it:<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 80.3256%; vertical-align: top;\" colspan=\"2\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><a id=\"temp\"><\/a>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.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"border: 0;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d2384.5418839007516!2d-2.090007684163389!3d53.29774097996895!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x487a4a325fd50ebd%3A0x6e63c6ef850de58e!2sThe+Poachers+Inn!5e0!3m2!1sen!2suk!4v1491381460663\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>History<\/h3>\n<p>Originally called &#8216;The Masons Arms&#8217;, 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.<\/p>\n<p>Later named &#8216;The Masonic Arms&#8217;.<\/p>\n<p>And finally &#8216;The Poachers Inn&#8217; which was owned and run by Rob &amp; Helen Ellwood from July 2000 to 2nd December 2024. On that date the pub was sold to Trust Inns. See below for how that ended.<\/p>\n<h3>Rob &amp; Helen <a id=\"endofanera\"><\/a>Ellwood<\/h3>\n<p><strong>End of an era!<\/strong> Rob &amp; Helen took over the Poacher&#8217;s in July 2000 and developed the pub to become arguably Bollington&#8217;s most popular house for over 24 years, leaving for retirement in France on 2nd December 2024. Bollington&#8217;s last Free House, the selection of beers offered was brilliant &#8211; 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!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/happyvalley.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/310-021-poachers-ellwoods.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-19875 size-medium\" title=\"Rob &amp; Helen Ellwood (and Rosie)\" src=\"https:\/\/happyvalley.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/310-021-poachers-ellwoods-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Rob &amp; Helen Ellwood (and Rosie)\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/happyvalley.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/310-021-poachers-ellwoods-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/happyvalley.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/310-021-poachers-ellwoods-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/happyvalley.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/310-021-poachers-ellwoods-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/happyvalley.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/310-021-poachers-ellwoods-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/happyvalley.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/310-021-poachers-ellwoods.jpg 2016w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Rob &amp; 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&#8217;s they have raised c.\u00a3150,000 for local charities and community organisations; what a fantastic record! As if running a pub wasn&#8217;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&#8217;s Medicine rock band, providing great entertainment in the pub and elsewhere.<\/p>\n<p>This very popular couple are seriously missed by their hundreds of regulars and we all wish them <em>bon voyage<\/em>, good health and good fun with many decades of happy life in France. They were sent off with a great deal of genuine love.<\/p>\n<h3>A year to forget<\/h3>\n<p>In December 2024 the Poachers was taken over by a small pubco, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.trustinns.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Trust Inns<\/a><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-14472\" src=\"https:\/\/happyvalley.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/external.png\" title=\"Going to an external website!\" width=\"10\" height=\"10\">, 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 &amp; 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.<\/p>\n<p>The future for the Poachers was then uncertain, but the pubco sought out a new tenant. Times (2026) 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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>SatNav &#8211; OS: SJ942778, Postcode: SK10 5RE, \/\/\/ample.offices.remarking NOW RE-OPENED!&nbsp; After a few weeks of closure the Poachers has re-opened! It&#8217;s a soft launch, not everything is complete yet (20\/03\/2026), but they are looking forward to welcoming you! Right on the boundary of Bollington and Rainow, this handsome stone building, adorned in summer with luxuriant [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":407,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-214","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/happyvalley.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/214","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/happyvalley.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/happyvalley.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/happyvalley.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/happyvalley.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=214"}],"version-history":[{"count":116,"href":"https:\/\/happyvalley.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/214\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20871,"href":"https:\/\/happyvalley.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/214\/revisions\/20871"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/happyvalley.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/407"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/happyvalley.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=214"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}