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.”
Chinatown restaurant pleads for help after dine-and-dash customer leaves staff member in A&E
Daisy Jackson
A brilliant restaurant in Manchester’s Chinatown has shared CCTV and a heartfelt appeal after one of its staff members was left in A&E.
Noodle Alley shared that one of its young staff members chased after a group of dine-and-dash customers who’d left without paying for their meal.
The restaurant then said that she was ‘assaulted’ at some point in the chase and ended up in A&E.
In their statement, Noodle Alley said that the staff member ‘had treated them kindly and never expected that kindness to come back to her like this’.
They wrote: “What has this world come to? A violent man sent our staff to A&E over an unpaid meal.”
The CCTV shows a group of three young men, all carrying Selfridges shopping bags, entering the restaurant.
They sit and enjoy a meal, before two of them slip out of the restaurant. The third man then exits but is chased by a Noodle Alley staff member.
It’s at this point – out of the range of the restaurant’s CCTV – that they said she was assaulted ‘after going beyond her duty to try and recover what had been taken’.
The family business said that she has been ’emotionally affected’ by the incident.
The police are involved and the restaurant has appealed for anyone who can help with their investigation to get in touch.
It’s also the second time they’ve appealed about a dine-and-dash customer in the last few months, but this incident went ‘far beyond’ previous incidents.
In their full statement, Noodle Alley said: “We’re a small family business, and lately it feels like small businesses are being targeted again and again.
“But this time, it went far beyond anything we have experienced before.
“One of our young staff members — a girl simply doing her job — was assaulted after going beyond her duty to try to recover what had been taken from our restaurant. She ended up in A&E.
“What hurts us most is seeing how emotionally affected she has been by what happened. She told us she had treated them kindly and never expected that kindness to come back to her like this.
“We work hard to look after our staff and our customers, and nobody should have to go through this simply for doing their job.
“We have reported the incident to the police.
“If anyone recognises these individuals or has any information that could help the police with their investigation, please contact us or the police directly.
“We’re sharing this because we believe our staff deserve to feel safe at work.”
Celebrity chef James Martin closes Manchester restaurant after more than a decade
Daisy Jackson
James Martin Manchester has closed its doors, bringing an end to the chef’s decade-long restaurant partnership with casino Manchester235.
Metropolitan Gaming announced on 1 October that its partnership with James Martin and his team had concluded, with the restaurant operation at the city centre venue ending on the same day.
The partnership dates back to 2012, meaning James Martin Manchester had been part of the Manchester235 experience for more than 14 years.
During that time, the restaurant became an established part of the venue’s food and drink offering, with Metropolitan Gaming describing the collaboration as ‘successful and valued’.
The company also credited James Martin and his team with contributing to Manchester’s wider food and dining scene, as well as providing high-quality dining for Manchester235 guests.
Maxine Gibbons, Venue Director at Manchester235, thanked the chef and his team for their contribution to the venue.
She said: “Our partnership with James Martin and his team has been an important part of Manchester235’s story since 2012.
“We would like to thank James and everyone who has been part of the James Martin Manchester team over the years for their commitment, hard work and the memorable experiences they have created for our guests.”
Gibbons added that the team had made a ‘significant contribution’ to Manchester235’s food and beverage experience and wished James Martin and his colleagues ‘every success for the future’.
The closure will not result in affected employees losing their jobs, with Metropolitan Gaming confirming that any employees impacted by the restaurant’s closure have been retained within the business.
Customers with existing restaurant reservations will also be contacted directly by Manchester235 regarding cancellations.
Daisy Jackson -
2nd August 2024 
