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.”
Iconic ice cream cafe Grandpa Greene’s to ‘completely demolish’ canalside location, revealing big new plans
Daisy Jackson
Grandpa Greene’s fans have just one month left to visit the ice cream company’s iconic canalside cafe, with the team announcing its imminent closure – but not for too long.
The family-run business has huge plans for the site, announcing that it will be ‘completely demolishing’ the Diggle cafe to redevelop it into a new space.
This ice cream brand is one of the North West’s favourite food producers, creating dozens of ice cream flavours to serve from their parlours, as well as indulgent treats like pancakes, afternoon teas, hot chocolates, and milkshakes.
The location that most people think of when they think of Grandpa Greene’s is their spot right on the canal in Diggle, but after more than 20 years, it’s time to give the site some TLC.
Grandpa Greene’s has operated from here since 2005, when Carole Scholes opened an ice cream ‘shed’.
Now, they want to turn it into ‘the ultimate hospitality destination’, with reclaimed Cheshire brickwork, huge windows, and a vaulted roof, making the most of the scenic surrounds.
Rick Scholes, managing director at Grandpa Greene’s Luxury Ice Cream, said: “In 2005, my mum, Carole, opened a small canalside ice cream shed in Diggle after bringing my grandfather’s original family ice cream recipes back to life. None of us could ever have imagined where that journey would lead.
Grandpa Greene’s existing canalside location in Diggle will closeThe family-run business has grand plans for the siteCredit: The Manc Group
“Over the last 21 years, Grandpa Greene’s has grown organically thanks to the incredible support of our customers, our team and the local community. It’s amazing to think that what started as a small canalside ice cream shed will soon become the ultimate hospitality destination.
“This redevelopment represents the biggest investment in the history of our Diggle site and our commitment to securing the future of Grandpa Greene’s for many years to come.
“While we’re preserving everything that has made this place so special, we’re creating a fantastic new space that can be enjoyed all year round including one of the biggest milestones for the site… indoor toilets!
“We close our Diggle site this September to begin this exciting new chapter and look forward to welcoming guests back in December.
“On behalf of my family, thank you to everyone who has supported us over the last 21 years. We can’t wait to welcome you back and share the next chapter of the Grandpa Greene’s story.”
All Brewers Fayre and Beefeater locations across the UK are closing down
Danny Jones
It looks to be the end for not one but two of Britain’s best-known and long-running restaurant franchises, as Brewers Fayre and Beefeaters will be closing down all of their locations.
Dating back to the mid-1970s, there will soon be none left anywhere in the country
The pair of recognisable chains, owned by parent company Whitbread PLC – who also own Premier Inn, hence why they usually come as a joint package – have nearly 200 sites across the UK, but they are already in the process of a wholesale shutdown.
News of the impending closures first began circulating back in April, but now the process is said to be fully underway, with multiple Greater Manchester names on the chopping block.
A real shame all brewers fayres are closing down. As a member they’ve sent me a last free main. So enjoying a mixed grill pic.twitter.com/EIHMZ7LCvv
— Daniel Turner⚽️ 🏟️ 1️⃣1️⃣5️⃣8️⃣ (@puffpuff65) August 4, 2026
With roughly 3,800 staff set to be made unemployed as part of the major restructuring by Whitbread, the job cuts will see approximately 12% of their workforce laid off from a total of around 30,000.
One local duo due to face the music is the soon-to-close Stable Gate in Denton and Wheatlea Park in Wigan – both of which are Brewers Fayre branches.
89 of the brand’s boozers have been given until early September (some dates may vary) to shut up shop and hold not just their last orders, but their final dinner service full stop.
The rest of the venues closing next month are Beefeater pubs, including the Heaton Park one in Crumpsall, The Quay House at Salford Quays, and the Whitgate Inn over Oldham way.
As for others nearby, Macclesfield’s Springwood Park is also set to close.
The older of the two British mainstays is Beefeater, which was founded by Whitbread back in 1974 when they opened their first pub, The Halfway House, down in Enfield.
Brewers debuted up North in ’79, with a maiden watering hole called The Farmers Arms in Preston, before going on to open several locations around Lancashire and eventually nationwide.
Most of you will likely have visited or at the very least passed one of those food and drink spots in your time, and while they may be more associated with hotels and service stations these days, they still served as regular haunts for plenty of people who will no doubt be gutted to see them go.
Speaking of services, another big name is expanding further into the North West.
Daisy Jackson -
2nd August 2024 
