Old Ball Inn, Smallshaw

The Old Ball is located in Smallshaw, Ashton-under-Lyne which is a market town in Greater Manchester situated on the north bank of the River Tame, in the foothills of the Pennines, and 6 miles east of Manchester itself. The Old Ball Inn is a traditional roadside, locals pub that commands a loyal following from locals thanks to its warm welcome. It has a traditional pub frontage, with a small but open plan trading area, the main bar sits proudly in the centre of the pub. Although there is no car park, there is plenty of space to park in its immediate location just off the main road and with an excellent local bus service, The Old Ball in is the perfect local community pub.

Pub Layout

After a recent refurbishment the pub has been revitalised in every aspect of space ensuring it keeps its charm whilst seamlessly incorporating modern design elements with an open plan, lounge style area being the main focal point upon entering the pub with bar servery, TV screen and DJ booth/karaoke/dance floor area. There are various seating options including fixed booth seating and loose seating.  This leads into a separate sports area with pool table and darts board with additional seating. Double doors lead out into the courtyard style beer garden.

The Old Ball is a true community local, well supported by regulars from the local community, well known for it’s entertainment such as darts, DJs, and karaoke. The fact that it’s well-supported by the surrounding area and regularly attracts locals for various events speaks to its appeal within the community. It has a varied product range featuring a great selection of category-leading products, complemented by numerous regular weekly promotions, so customers can expect exceptional value for their money. Whilst there isn’t an actual function room, there is easily the ability to provide functions and build this part of the business up further.

Private Accommodation

The private accommodation is accessed via a door from the main pub and comprises of: Three bedrooms, living room, kitchen, bathroom with separate toilet.

Security deposit: £2,000

No rent applicable on this agreement

This opportunity is for you to run your pub as a self-employed manager. Admiral Taverns take care of all the running costs including rates, utilities, stock and day to day running costs whilst you take home 18.5% of the net weekly sales, all employment costs relating to your staff and any council tax and TV licence for the residential quarters.

All new operators have comprehensive free training as part of their agreement.

• 7 Steps to Sales Success Training Programme.  Held online over two days, you will learn marketing and business strategies that will help you to grow sales in your pub – step-by-step.
• E-Learning Training for you and your staff. Featuring more than 30 courses for both you and your staff, you’ll have access to a wide range of topics from Compliance, Health and Safety to Personal Development and Wellbeing.

The Old Ball offers an exciting opportunity for a motivated, community-focused operator to create a thriving pub experience. Ideal for both newcomers eager to learn the ropes and experienced operators looking to grow, this pub has incredible potential for building strong customer ties, driving sales, and expanding its offerings. From forming darts and pool teams to enhancing the beer garden and hosting events, there are numerous ways to develop the business. Success will require energy, enthusiasm, a strong customer focus, and the commercial acumen to build solid foundations, analyse performance, and adapt quickly to maximize ROI.