Review: The Crooked Billet, Worsthorne

The pub is run by Alison Leigh and Paul Miller – who purchased this fine watering hole from Punch Taverns 15 months ago – and in that short space of time, have changed a once ailing pub in to a thriving hub of the community.

Landlady Alison has worked here for over 20 years and said: “The pub had been deteriorating for some time and Punch Taverns put it on the market in 2011 – it had had various temporary managers – but the pub continued to struggle.”

Thankfully, that has now all changed – with it now being a most impressive hostelry.

The pub has a spacious open-plan bar area – and also boasts a fine “snug” room – which is popular with local community groups and regular customers, alike.

The range of ales and lagers are exceptional – seven cask beers, from just £2.30 a pint, and five lagers. Local brewer, Worsthorne, have three beers on permanently, as are two from Timothy Taylors and one from Tetley’s. The seventh is a guest ale. Lagers include Peroni, Staropramenand Carlsberg Premium.

There’s a nice cross-section of clientele at The Billet and you get a good community feel about the place. Alison said:”Yes, interesting, friendly and varied customers, including the local church group, Worsthorne Mountain Bikers Club, a Spanish class that meets on Mondays, a popular quiz night on Wednesdays – and of course, lots of walkers, who visit our lovely countryside.”

A true, local community boozer, is how I would describe the pub – even the pies are from local Burnley butcher, Haffners. Pie and peas are served at the week-ends – at a bargain £3!

It’s so good to see a once ailing pub now thriving in the area, with Alison finally commenting: “All the old customers have now returned – many are old friends that knew me from my time at the pub – friends that now visit us to enjoy our hospitality and fine range of cask ales.”

I will drink to that, Alison!