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.”
Drinks prices revealed as Manchester Airport’s first-ever Wetherspoons pub opens inside T2
Emily Sergeant
It’s official… Manchester Airport’s first-ever JD Wetherspoon pub has officially opened its doors inside Terminal 2.
The 300-seater pub – which welcomed its first customers earlier this week – is named The Belle Vue after Manchester’s historic showground.
Throughout the pub, you’ll spot design features that nod to the city’s sporting heritage – including vintage event posters and memorabilia, a ‘locker wall’ hosting trophies and other sporting exhibits, and a cricket-themed design in the carpets and bar panels.
Creating around 150 jobs in the process, The Belle Vue is the final planned new eatery to open in the airport’s redeveloped Terminal 2, marking one of the final steps in the super-terminal’s decade-long, £1.5bn transformation.
Manchester Airport’s first-ever Wetherspoons pub has opened inside Terminal 2 / Credit: Supplied
According to the MEN, pints are priced from £6.20 for Carling and Coors lager, £6.45 for Budweiser, £6.60 for Guinness, and £6.70 for Poretti and 1664 Biere.
Prosecco is £9.20 for 175ml glass and £37.10 for the full bottle, while spirts and mixers are £6.80 for singles and £10.20 for doubles.
There’s also the classic Wetherspoons tea and coffee machines, where you can refill as many times as you like for just £3.60.
“It’s a proud moment to see the final new retail unit opening in our new-look Terminal 2,” commented Richard Jackson, who is the Retail Director at Manchester Airport.
“To be rounding off this 10-year programme by adding such an iconic name as Wetherspoon to the terminal is particularly special and we know that it will prove extremely popular with passengers. We think they’ll love the nods to Manchester’s heritage in the décor and design – and of course the name.”
The Belle Vue will be open from the first flight to the final flight each day, and food will be served from opening until 10pm.
Featured Image – Supplied
Eats
The Manchester restaurant serving bottomless curry for just £20 during National Curry Week
Daisy Jackson
One of Manchester’s leading curry houses is bringing back its bottomless curry offering very soon.
For just £20, diners can tuck into unlimited curry, rice and naan at Zouk Tea Bar & Grill, stuffing yourself silly on authentic dishes from from all over the Indian subcontinent.
There’s nothing quite like getting the gang together for a proper curry, and Zouk is making it even easier to do exactly that this October.
They’ll be bringing back the £20 Bottomless Curry deal for National Curry Week 2026, running for five nights only, from Monday 5 October to Friday 9 October, with tables available between 5pm and 10pm each evening.
Guests can choose one curry from a daily selection of four, with meat, vegetarian and vegan options available throughout the week.
Once you’ve picked your curry, you can then order as many portions as you fancy during your 90-minute booking.
Rice and naan are unlimited too, so there’s no shortage of carbs to mop up the curry with.
The dishes on the menu include some of Zouk’s favourites, such as Chicken Karahi, Lamb Rogan Josh, Chicken Tikka Masala, Dall Makhani, Chicken Handi and Gobi Manchurian.
The exact four-dish selection varies by day, giving curry fans a reason to head back more than once during the five-day promotion.
And yes, you can go back for another helping.
Zouk owner Tayub Amjad said: “National Curry Week is always a great excuse to celebrate the food we love.
“Bottomless Curry has become a real favourite with our customers, so we’re excited to bring it back for five nights. It’s relaxed, great value and perfect for getting friends together for a proper curry night.”
Advance booking is recommended – you can book your table for the Zouk Bottomless Curry nights HERE.
Daisy Jackson -
2nd August 2024 
