Great food, a fine choice of drinks, and an atmosphere which makes everyone feel at home is a combination many pubs strive to achieve – yet only a few really manage successfully. Now you can add to that select number The Gardeners’ Arms, in Droylsden, which is doing great business among a crowd who appreciate the hard work that has gone into making the pub a real oasis. “Our approach is to make people feel that, when they are walking through the door, they are walking into an extension of our front room,” said landlady Julie Carnegie, who is in charge along with husband Mick. It’s an approach which has been a hit with many customers, according to Julie.

“Once they’ve seen how nice the pub looks, people have started booking taxis and even minibuses, and taking the trouble to get dressed up to come and spend the whole evening with us – it’s great to see,” she says. The couple have now been in charge for nearly three years, and the pub has just seen the benefits of a thorough refurbishment of which they are very proud, and which has really taken the quality of the atmosphere up several notches.

Everything you could want from a good pub is offered at The Gardeners’ – the décor is bright yet homely, excellent, top-value food is served, while the comprehensive drinks range includes up to four real ales – which you can try before you buy, and which customers are invited to help choose from a changing monthly list - genuine German Dortmunder lager, and a range of wines by the glass or bottle. The cask ales are also offered for just £1.50 a pint every Thursday – a great reason to try a different tipple once in a while.

A small conservatory area at the front of the pub provides an excellent, relaxed atmosphere for dining, while the major investment has also provided a well sheltered and quiet smoking area outside the back of the pub.

The pub’s food menu covers many traditional favourites, but is also supplemented by a handful of daily specials. But whatever you choose, nothing is pre-cooked, and all fruit and vegetables served come daily from Smithfield market. Individual dishes can even be ‘tweaked’ to your taste – just ask the staff. Events such as Valentine’s Day and Mothers’ Day, will see special one-off menus served.

For your own special occasions, the Gardeners also has a room which can accommodate up to 50 people available for free hire, by prior arrangement – it’s ideal for birthdays, christenings, funerals, or even a small wedding party. Contact Julie or Mick for more details.

One part of the original fixtures which has been kept after the refurbishment – thanks to customers’ requests – is the pub’s real fire, while the air conditioning has also been upgraded. Through a combination of wise investment, and a hard-working, dedicated management team which listens to what its customers want, the Gardeners Arms is proving that a pub can still serve as a true heart of its local community.

Call in soon, you’re assured a friendly welcome.