Bolton’s Balmoral Hotel brings festive cheer with Christmas in July

For the past four years, The Balmoral Hotel on Bradshawgate has invited customers to get into the festive spirit for charity.

As the Bolton News arrived to check out the event, a lively rendition of the 12 Days of Christmas could be heard from outside the pub.

Inside, landlord and landlady Danny Loynd and Zoe Monaghan, had pulled out all the stops, with festive tunes on full blast, Christmas trees, tinsel everywhere, and cosy winter fireplaces on the TV screens.

Christmas has come early at the Balmoral Hotel in Bolton (Image: Bolton News)

For them, seeing the reactions from customers when they walk into the pub is what it’s all about.

Danny said: “Everybody smiles when they walk in here. Christmas is a happy time.

“At Christmas time, people don’t get a chance to meet each other. So why not do it in July, when everybody can get to Christmas and can enjoy it?”

He said that when they started the unusual tradition, it confused some punters.

He added: “The first year we did it, which was four years ago, it was a bit: ‘Oh, what are you doing?’ But then everyone enjoyed it, and the audience has just got bigger and bigger every year.

“People do ask, and we tell them why we do it, and then they love it and they come and join us. So that’s what we want.”

Danny and Zoe kicking off the event at 2pm. (Image: Bolton News)

One of the revellers getting into the Christmas spirit at the Balmoral was Bolton MP Yasmin Qureshi.

She said: “I think the Balmoral is a great place. A lot of people come here. They’re doing something really different for their customers and for a lot of people who might not be able to be here for Christmas.

“I think it’s a great idea to have a Christmas bang in the middle of the summer.

“You can’t beat the atmosphere in here. It’s amazing, absolutely electrifying. It’s an absolutely brilliant idea. I think more people should be doing it.”

Christmas at the Balmoral Hotel (Image: Bolton News)

When we visited, the party was just getting started, with a whole programme of events planned throughout the day, including two buffets, a raffle, and music acts.

They were also raising money for their chosen cause, the suicide prevention charity CALM, with Christmas envelopes.

The grand finale of the evening is set to be the Elvis Showband, who will be taking to the stage at 8pm.

Danny added: “It’s just something we bring to town because it’s different. So we want to give people an excuse to come to Bolton, and today’s the day.”

More information about the event and the Balmoral Hotel can be found on the pub’s social media pages.