IT’S time to shine the spotlight on some of the top venues around East Lancashire in our Pub of the Week feature.

We have spoken to Mark Jackson at the Arden Inn in Accrington about the reasons for their success.

Name of the pub: 

Arden Inn

Address of the pub:

85 Abbey St, Accrington

Landlord/landlady name:

Mark Jackson

How long have you been the landlord/landlady for?

9.5 years

Bar staff and their names:

Donna, Corey, Lee, Connor, Cain

Give us some history about the pub

I first moved to the Arden when I was 18 when my mother was the landlady up until 2001. Since being at the Arden I have made it a very popular live music venue and bands play at the Arden coming all the way from Bristol, Tenby, Manchester and Liverpool

Is food served? Is so what’s on the menu?

No

Is there a beer garden

Yes, it is an urban style sun trap

Do you have any darts/snooker/pool teams

Darts Tuesdays, ladies darts Wednesday and pool Thursday

Most popular drink served is:

Bradfields farmers blond cask ale and Fosters lager

Most memorable moment at the pub

When we moved the pool table for a band and a customer went to lean on it again and landed on the floor, the CCTV footage went viral all over the world, was even on ‘Have I Got News For You’

Do you have an entertainment line-up?

We have live bands every Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday tea from 6.30, just started Saturdays from 4pm every few weeks

Have you faced any challenges within the industry

Running pubs is always a challenge, even more so since Covid and now with the cost of living crisis

The best thing about running a pub is

Having a laugh with all the regulars is great, leaning over the bar having a good natter and a laugh with friends, also watching some of the best live bands from around the UK, and we have some fantastic bands

The worst thing about running a pub is..

Lack of sleep I guess, but 9 years in I’m used to not having much sleep

The perfect hangover cure is...

Steak pudding chips and gravy from Church St Chippy usually works for me