Barrie Wearing former Managing Director of Hitchens Engravers Ltd (Accrington) decided one morning in July 2006 after 40 years in the engraving trade that he had had enough and wanted a different direction in life. After consulting his wife (Christine) and all the family it was decided to look for a Hotel/Restaurant.

In September Barrie and Christine were offered the Simonstone Hotel. At that time the Simonstone was boarded up and in need of some restoration. With the help of all his family we set about restoring the Simonstone with a tight schedule of 2 weeks to opening. In this time we had to completely refit the kitchen and Restaurant.

None of the family had any experience in the catering trade, but had a vision of what we wanted to offer potential customers. We have tried to treat our customers the same way that we would like to be treated when we dine, we feel that we have created a warm informal atmosphere in pleasant surroundings along with some of the finest food in the region.

Customers have passed remarks over Christopher’s (the eldest son) sense of humour and warm greeting. Edward (youngest son) guarantees a warm welcome from behind the bar. Sinead and Georgina (Christopher and Edwards wives) look after the customers whilst dinning and ensure that they feel looked after and pampered.

It was decided to offer customers that consumed the 30oz T-Bone steak a certificate acknowledging the fact that their eyes are not bigger than their belly’s.

All ingredients used at the Simonstone Hotel are freshly prepared and source from local suppliers. We are always on the lookout for local quality ingredients.

The pub side of the Simonstone now offers quiz nights (Thursdays 9.30pm) followed by our own version of Deal or no Deal which is proving to be popular. As from April we will be having theme nights starting 20^th April with a Lancashire Night which will include the Prodigal Sons who have worked with Mike Harding and have entertained our troops in Kuwait and Germany on several occasions.

What are our plans for the future? To the rear of the Simonstone there once was a bowling green which as seen better days, we intend to turn this into a large beer garden which will allow us to serve alfresco meals in the summer along with marquee weddings, open air functions and fun days for family’s.