32 | LUXlife Magazine Best Heritage Gastropub Experience 2026 – Manchester Situated on Chorlton Green in Chorlton-cum-Hardy, south Manchester, The Horse and Jockey is an historic pub that has been part of the community for generations, and is thought to date back to the 1500s. We learn more from Shaughan Rick following the pub’s new lease of life. Opened under Bigger Boat Hospitality in October 2025, following a major refurbishment, The Horse and Jockey bustles with life on a daily basis, welcoming a diverse mix of people, from families enjoying or people working over a coffee to regulars enjoying a pint and groups of friends meeting of an evening. “Our aim was never to reinvent the pub,” explains General Manager Shaughan Rick. “It already had an enormous amount of character and affection locally. We wanted to bring that character back to the forefront and create a genuinely great community pub around it.” Food is a big part of what the pub offers, with the recent refurb transforming the traditional drinking venue into a real foodie destination with the introduction of an ever-changing menu focusing on fresh local ingredients. This being said, it is still very much a hub for regular drinkers, and the team aims to ensure customers are just as comfortable coming in for a pint as they are sitting down for three courses. “We offer everything you would expect from a really good local pub, alongside food and drink that goes beyond what some people initially expect when they walk through the door,” Shaughan elaborates. “Our kitchen works with seasonal produce and trusted local suppliers, with menus changing regularly depending on what is available. We print the menu daily, run a fish of the day and a butcher's cut, and give the chefs freedom to cook with what is best rather than forcing ingredients into a fixed menu all year round.” Furthermore, behind the bar the team serves Joseph Holt beers alongside wines, spirits and a seasonal cocktail menu developed inhouse. Plus, the venue regularly plays host to community groups, celebrations, meetings and events, catering to a wide variety of different purposes. As a dedicated and experienced General Manager, Shaughan runs a tight ship with a large emphasis on awareness and promotes looking after people rather than simply serving them. He actively encourages his staff to notice the guest who has just arrived, notice the empty glass on the table, notice if somebody looks unsure about the menu, and notice if a family needs a highchair before they have to ask, for example. He also likes the team to take ownership of problems. “Guests should not have to understand which department somebody works in or find the right manager to get something resolved,” he tells us. “For us, the memorable part is rarely one grand gesture. It is usually a collection of smaller things done properly. The first few moments matter enormously, so being acknowledged when you arrive, having someone remember what you drink, getting good advice when you ask for it, noticing when somebody needs something before they have to ask. Those details are what turn a good visit into somewhere people want to come back to.” The Horse and Jockey is fortunate because the foreboding black and white beamed building already creates a strong impression. It features flagstone floors, fireplaces, traditional touches and a setting opening directly onto Chorlton Green. Shaughan explains that a big part of the recent refurbishment was allowing that personality to come through again, rather than trying to make it look like somewhere else. Being situated surrounded by greenery, guests visiting the venue expect quality without formality, which is something that the Bigger Boat team has directly addressed. They want really good food and drink, knowledgeable staff and high standards, however they still want to be able to walk into their local pub in muddy boots with the dog, or bring the children in for lunch. To this end, the team behind the renovations listened carefully to customer feedback, and further enhanced the pub, rather than replacing key elements, in the work undertaken. “We did not want to strip the building of its history or impose a completely different identity on it,” Shaughan states. “The aim was to understand what people already loved about The Horse and Jockey, restore some of what had been lost and then give it the food, drink, service and attention it deserved.” It seems that the company has absolutely nailed the challenge, and was recognised for its achievements when the pub was named Best Heritage Gastropub Experience 2026 – Manchester in the recent Hospitality Awards 2026. Now, the focus is on continuing to build rather than changing direction, which includes developing the food and drink offer, building on the pub's calendar of events, and further strengthening relationships with local groups and suppliers. “We want The Horse and Jockey to be one of those pubs that people genuinely feel belongs to their area,” says Shaughan. “There is a phrase associated with our sister pub, The Black Friar, that we have adopted: “You may go further and fare worse." “It captures The Horse and Jockey well. We want to be the kind of place on your doorstep that you never need an excuse to visit.” Contact: Shaughan Rick Company: The Horse and Jockey Web Address: horseandjockeypub.co.uk
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