From Leigh past players to new Leopards fans and everything in between, a couple has encouraged a real mix of customers since taking over one of Leigh’s biggest pubs.
With a family history in the pub industry, and after running two pubs in Leigh and Lowton, Mick Aspey said that the Boars Head on Market Place was always a dream of his to take over.
Two years ago, this opportunity presented itself after the pub’s previous owners put the venue up for sale, although there was a real danger that the Boars Head, like many other large community pubs across the country, could have been sold and converted into another use.
However, after well-known publican Dave Rowland put in a successful bid for the Boars Head, he entrusted Mick with the running of the pub, which allowed the proud Leyther to fulfill his long-held dream.
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With Mick and his now fiancée Sam taking over the reins of the pub in November 2022, the couple have seen “real success” after refurbishing the venue and aiming to take it back to its former glory days.
Following an investment to improve the look of the Boars Head, there was also a recommitment to the town’s beloved rugby club, with a huge collection of Leigh Centurions and Leopards memorabilia being plastered on the building’s walls.
There is also a section of the pub dedicated to Leigh Past Players and the history of the rugby club, and as the Leopards have enjoyed some of the club's biggest success in recent history, Mick and Sam said that this has benefitted the pub, which has become “busier and busier” since they took it over.
Sam, from Lowton, said: “We’ve really encouraged Leigh fans to come to the pub and we have coaches that use us as a pick up and drop off point for away games.
“This means that fans are coming in before and after for both home and away games, and it has created a really good atmosphere in the pub.
“The Wembley win was one of the busiest weekends of our lives because we opened for coaches at 6am on the Saturday and didn’t stop all weekend with the homecoming on the Sunday.”
With a focus on Leopards fans, from the older to the younger generation, Mick and Sam said that they have also tried to vary the pub’s offer as it now provides space for pool, darts, and dominoes teams.
The pub also sponsors local football teams, accommodates Royal British Legion meetups, and rents the upstairs space for family events or networking meetups.
This is in addition to the pub's live sports and its varied drinks menu at reasonable prices.
Mick added: “My parents ran pubs in Leigh and I have had two previous pubs, so I have experience with what works and what doesn’t in the pub game.
“You’ve got to have your heart and soul in this game, and we pride ourselves on making a whole variety of generations feel welcome and comfortable.
“We also try our best to keep our prices down and offer £3 pints in the week [between 12pm and 6pm], and we have even had comments from other pub landlords, thanking us for bringing a lot of custom and different generations to this end of town.”
With a commitment to Leopards and Leythers, the Boars Head also hosts a variety of live events at the weekend, with DJ sets often spanning various decades and genres to encourage customers to come and have a good time at the pub.
Mick and Sam also pride themselves in being a charitable pub with the Market Place business hosting several fundraisers for local charities Holly’s Hearts and Joseph’s Goal in recent years.
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