Award-winning pub brings festive cheer to Glossop

The Norfolk Arms isn’t just a pub - it’s a cornerstone of the Glossop community.

This December, their community spirit will be on full display as the much-loved venue hosts a Christmas Market and outdoor ice rink right on its cobbled forecourt. 

Taking place on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th December, the festivities will feature an outdoor ice rink open from 11am to 8pm, alongside a Christmas market bursting with seasonal cheer. 

Run by landlady Carol Midgley and assistant manager Abi Whitehead, the Norfolk Arms prides itself on being welcoming to everyone. Serving food seven days a week and offering a constantly evolving seasonal menu, now featuring hearty winter warmers, the pub attracts a wide mix of locals, from young families enjoying relaxed meals to lively Friday-night crowds. 

Step inside, and you’ll find a pub that feels genuinely homely. Beautifully decorated and full of character with a welcoming and close-knit team of around 35 staff, including management, front-of-house, bar, kitchen, and cleaning teams. They pride themselves on working hard to create the friendly vibe that customers notice immediately. 

The Norfolk Arms also hosts daily coffee mornings, welcoming local organisations such as St Christopher’s, Northern Slimmers. Also The Bureau, who welcome people every Monday  from 10:30am to 12pm, providing a friendly space for anyone - whether new to the area, feeling isolated, or simply looking for a chat - to enjoy a brew and some biscuits.  

The pub runs bingo on Tuesday and Thursday hosted by Veronica Wright who helps them raise money for charity, and also hosts popular drag nights, reflecting its commitment to being inclusive and welcoming to all. 

This community-first ethos was recently recognised at the Joseph Holt Awards, where the Norfolk Arms stood out among more than 120 pubs across the brewery’s estate. The pub reached the finals in five categories, including Heart of the Community, and achieved first place in the Standards of Excellence, recognising their outstanding cleanliness, service, efficiency, and friendliness. They also won second place in Assistant Manager of the Year, awarded to Abi, and second place in Marketing Pub of the Year, celebrating how effectively the pub keeps customers informed about events, including major sporting fixtures. 

Abi told us: “Carol and I are both really proud of the team, and we thank all of our customers, both new and old, for supporting us. We look forward to continuing to provide a wonderful award-winning service to you!” 

For Abi, the pub’s success is deeply personal. Having lived in Glossop all her life, she grew up visiting the Norfolk Arms for family meals. After working there in 2021, leaving to go to university and returning post-graduation, she now finds herself “on the other side of the bar”, helping to run a place that has always been part of her life. 

Alongside the Christmas market and ice rink, the pub is once again hosting its much-loved Giftmas Tree. Locals are encouraged to donate an unwrapped present with the team strongly believing that every child should receive something on Christmas Day and invites the community to help make that happen. 

This December, whether you’re lacing up skates, browsing the Christmas stalls, enjoying a winter meal, or simply popping in for a coffee and a chat, the Norfolk Arms proves once again why it is truly a pub at the heart of the community.