It's the former mill town that has become a haven for food and drink lovers.
Home to a host of independent bars, shops and restaurants, Ramsbottom has long prided itself on its thriving high street. But not all is well in the picture-postcard town in the shadow of the West Pennine Moors.
In recent months, Ramsbottom has been rocked by the sudden closures of several beloved establishments, including The Chocolate Café, and Spanish restaurant duo Levanter and Baratxuri - widely regarded as the flag-flyers for the town's hospitality scene.
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The Hearth of the Ram also shut earlier this year and is currently up for sale. The recent departures have prompted an outpouring of sadness, with many fearing the possibility of further casualties.
Rocketing costs and reduced footfall have had a devastating impact on small businesses in towns such as Ramsbottom, traders say. Announcing the closure of the Chocolate Cafe after 15 years, owner Philip Hargreaves said the cost of living crisis was 'hitting us at both ends'. Goods and energy costs have increased by more than 40 per cent and 'in some cases doubled', he said.
Meanwhile, the owners of Levanter blamed the bleak state of the high street, which it said had left them 'so squeezed we cannot breathe or see a single sunlit upland.' Fiona and Joe Botham had previously taken to Twitter to plead with the government for help after their energy bills rose from £18,000 a year to a staggering £55,000 a year.
It's a challenge that other businesses in Ramsbottom know all too well. Last week, gift shop Hearts for Homes took to social media to announce it was reducing its opening hours due to a drop in footfall.
Kerry Khan, the shop's owner, warned that 'difficult decisions' would have to be made when its lease is up for renewal this summer.
"If I'm looking at it from a business point of view, I don't think there is any doubt that I would not renew it," she said. "It scares me to do it. Right now, the future looks quite scary.
"Since Christmas, it's been very quiet. In the past you might have had a couple of bad days but it was a blip. That's now become the norm.
"There's not as many people in Ramsbottom. I'm aware people might have less money to spend and that's certainly a factor."
Like many business owners, Ms Khan's costs have increased across the board over the last two years. In order to save on her energy bills, she has already taken to turning the heating off inside the shop.
But, despite the uncertainty, Ms Khan says she is determined to 'try and ride it out'.
"I guess I just have to hope that things will get better," she said. "Ramsbottom needs more support from local people.
"They want all these shops and nice things here but if you don't support them, they won't be there anymore. If it carries on the way it has, there will be very little left here.
"When I opened the shop, I thought this is a great place because there is lots of things going on and great footfall. That has changed so much. If you were looking at opening a shop in Ramsbottom now, I don't think you would do it."
Along with its stunning scenery and picturesque location, Ramsbottom's vibrant bar and restaurant culture has made it increasingly popular among families and young professionals.
As demand to live in Ramsbottom has soared in recent years, so have house prices. The average property sale price in Ramsbottom last year was £279,115, according to Rightmove - up 8pc from £258,953 in 2020.
But the recent closures have left some wondering whether the boom days are over. The town already 'feels quieter', according to Stuart Rothwell, the owner of The Vineyard wine shop.
During the height of the pandemic, the shop was one of several businesses to benefit from the pedestrianisation of Square Street, which allowed for a European-style outdoor area. But the road reopened to traffic last month - another reason Levanter's owners gave for the decision to call it a day.
"When Levanter went it was a proper shock," said Mr Rothwell. "We have so many customers that have moved here for the vibrant shops and eateries. People are upset and down but you just have to get on with it.
"It's happening everywhere, it's not just Ramsbottom. We have got to be careful. We're seeing prices go up all the time. It's a fact of life though."
The cost of living crisis is just the latest in a series of challenges that Mr Rothwell has had to overcome since he opened The Vineyard back in 2007.
He's survived a recession, the arrival of several large supermarkets in Ramsbottom, and a global pandemic. It's no surprise then that he's confident that Ramsbottom's high street will bounce back.
"I think it will come back round," he said. "Ramsbottom 30 years ago was totally different to what it is now. It's changed for the better."
While there have been high profile closures, a number of new businesses are preparing to open in Ramsbottom. Plans for a pizza restaurant in Bridge Street were recently given the go-ahead while a wine bar is set to open in Square Street.
The likes of Tre Ciccio, a popular Italian restaurant, Holcombe Tap, and the award-winning Eagle and Child pub continue to draw diners from far and wide.
Nicola Murphy-Lunn owns Ramsbottom Social, a relatively new arrival on the town's food and drink scene. She and her wife signed the lease on the restaurant a fortnight before the UK was first plunged into lockdown in 2020.
They eventually opened in July but coronavirus restrictions meant it took a while for business to get into full swing. While her business has managed to make a name for itself, she says each day is still a challenge. Energy bills have soared while the price of fresh food produce has doubled.
"If we increased our food prices to the ratio of the actual cost, we would have no customers," Ms Murphy-Lunn explained. "Everybody is watching their purse strings."
Ms Murphy-Lunn has also noticed a 'significant drop in footfall', especially during the week.
"It's worrying but we have got to stay positive. I don't want to hear of another business closing in Ramsbottom.
"People say another business closing makes us more busy. Does it really? Having the likes of Levanter, Baratxuri, the Chocolate Café gave people a great offering.
"If places close, it's going to make the town less appealing. Ramsbottom is a great night out, but if one falls, we all kind of fall."
She wants to see the government offering small businesses more support with energy bills, as well reducing VAT.
"These things are crippling," she said. "When small businesses close, people lose their jobs so unemployment rises. It's a domino effect."
Local people also have a part to play, Ms Murphy-Lynn believes.
"Everybody loves a Maccies and a Greggs but for your four McDonald's visits a month, replace one with a visit to a small independent place," she said.
"You will be blown away. You have people providing you with food and drink from the bottom of their hearts.
"You have got to use it or you are going to lose it. I know everyone is watching the pennies but if you are going to treat yourself, stay local."
Ramsbottom councillor Tom Pilkington also called on the government to do more to support bars and restaurants.
"I can't deny that it's difficult to witness the struggles that Ramsbottom's wonderful independent businesses currently face," he said. "We've already seen some jewels of Ramsbottom's independent offering sadly succumb to factors not of their own making."
However, he said the problem was not confined to Ramsbottom, pointing to research that showed 17,145 shops across the country shut last year.
"It is testament to the community and resolve of Ramsbottom that we are only now starting to see the impact of the energy crisis," he added.
"As councillors we are doing what we can. We've brought events back to Ramsbottom to increase footfall, makers markets too. We've initiated an events group, we all shop and promote local and will accelerate the Ramsbottom Town Plan to support out wonderful businesses.
"Despite our best efforts, these businesses need more government support. It's unfair that they're paying the price for the mistakes of others. Better late than never, there now needs to be an urgent move forwards to provide greater support on energy rates.
"We should be cutting business rates, paid for by increasing digital services tax for online companies. The whole system needs reform and a solution fit for today.
"Profiteering energy companies should also contribute via a windfall tax. We are doing all we can and call for others with influence to do the same."
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