Steve Coogan has celebrated the return of his old local pub in Rochdale as it reopens for business after a major makeover.
The Roebuck in Alkrington, Middleton, has recently been taken over by Joseph Holt after several years operating as Thornberries.
But residents in the local area voted strongly in favour that the local boozer be renamed back to its original name – a decision that Steve Coogan himself is also a fan of.
The pub was the star’s favourite back in his younger years (the Alan Partridge star was raised in this neck of the woods.
In a charming note shared with the new owners, he said that he remembered it as being ‘full of bleach blonde perms and deep tans… and that was just the fellas!’.
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He’s also promised to ‘pop in for a pint’ soon.
The Roebuck has consolidated its reputation as a ‘people’s pub’ with the name change, as voted for by locals in the area.
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Its extensive renovation by Joseph Holt brewery has included a new wraparound bar, a stunning beer garden, a private function room, live TVs showing sporting events, and a sizeable food menu – but promises to remain a community pub.
Steve Coogan has shared a witty message to his old local pub as it reopens. Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Steve Coogan said in a message to the pub: “Good luck to the Roebuck. One of my locals in the 80s.
“It used to be full of bleach blonde perms and deep tans…and that was just the fellas!
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“Glad it’s going it be a local again for the local community. I’ll be sure to pop in for a pint soon. Best, Steve.”
Mark Norbury, Joseph Holt Pub Director said: “We are absolutely thrilled to receive such a warm and humorous message from Steve Coogan, one of the area’s most famous locals.
“Not least for his recognition that this is very much a pub at the heart of the community. But one with a massive refurbishment that brings even more new life into the pub.”
Mark added: “The Roebuck offers a warm invitation to everyone. And we have let Steve Coogan know that whenever he is in town he can be assured of a hearty local welcome and a drink on us.”
Among those who wanted the pub to revert to its original name was Linda Murray, 63, who won Joseph Holt’s competition to rename the pub and who cut the ribbon on the opening night
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Linda said: “I have lived in Alkrington since 1971 when I was 11 years old, so most of my late teens and 20s I did most of my socialising in The Roebuck.
“It was a great pub, almost everyone from Alkrington under 35 used to drink in the Roebuck. Alkrington was known as the place where the Roebuck was and people from surrounding areas used to come and enjoy a great night out.”
A huge Oasis-themed bar and music venue has opened in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
A new bar and gig venue that’s a shrine to all things Oasis is opening in Manchester city centre this week.
From memorabilia from the band’s history to artwork inspired by their work, Definitely Maybe is packed out with nods to the Gallagher brothers.
The bar has taken over the old Black Dog Ballroom site in the Northern Quarter, in the basement unit of Afflecks.
This huge Oasis bar splits into a few sections, from a live music stage to a mini gallery displaying memorabilia and posters.
There’s even a pair of Liam Gallagher’s Tommy Hilfiger pants suspended in one display unit.
Other items on display include one of Noel’s guitars (and a few more signed replicas), a pair of Liam’s maracas, early photography and sketches, and live gig photography.
Inside Definitely Maybe, a new Oasis themed bar in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
There are even Oasis lyrics scrawled along the wall of the bar, and globe-shaped light fixtures.
You can play pool, make use of the free photobooth, and sip on themed cocktails while feeling like a Rock n Roll Star.
Oasis-inspired cocktails include the Pina Columbia, the Strawberry Lemonade, and the She’s Electric.
Entry to the bar costs £5, but you’ll get a drinks token in return – or you can buy a membership for the rest of the year for just £6.
Definitely Maybe is already a well-loved name in Bolton and now it’s here in the city centre ready to help you live our your Rock n Roll Star dreams.
A tiny new train station pub has opened at Manchester Oxford Road
Daisy Jackson
A tiny craft beer pub has opened at Manchester Oxford Road, making all those inevitable train cancellations a little sweeter.
The new boozer comes from the same team behind some of the UK’s best train station pubs, who already have bars at Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Victoria.
The Oxford Road Tap has plenty of charming nods to its proximity to the great British rail network.
There’s the big red National Rail sign that they’ve restored and turned into a beer tap, an arch over the bar that mimics the shape of the station, and even a departures board so you can work out how many more pints you can squeeze in.
You’ll find plenty of British craft beers behind the bar as well as a great selection of European lagers, plus spirits and wines.
The bar from Bloomsbury Leisure Holdings Limited has taken over the former cycle hub at Manchester Oxford Road.
The small building is directly opposite the entrance to the busy train station on the southern side of the city centre.
The Oxford Road Tap pub is now open in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
This will be the third site for the pub group in Manchester.
They already operate the Piccadilly Tap, that two-storey beer bar on Piccadilly Approach with a heated rooftop space and outdoor patio.
The team are also responsible for the more recently-opened Victoria Tap, which took over the former bin store at Manchester Victoria.
That particular pub has a heated beer garden constructed just inches away from where the trams tootle past and has a departures board where time is measured by pints (got 10 mins til your train leaves? That’s one pint, sir!)
Daisy Jackson -
2nd August 2024 
