Michael swops beat for the bar

PC to landlord . . . Michael Crossley

RABBLE rousers had better steer clear of one Royton pub now that a local bobby has decided to trade in life on the beat in favour of a new career as a pub landlord.

PC Michael Crossley has pounded the streets as a police constable for 30 years, the last 17 of which he spent in Royton, and he liked the locals so much that he has decided to become the new landlord of the Old Grey Mare Pub, in Oldham Road.

Michael (48) said: “I was posted all over Oldham before I came to Royton and I’ve loved every minute of my career so far. You’re never bored as a copper because something different happens every day.”

But although Michael was largely Royton based, he certainly got out and about during his years in the force.

He guarded Pope John Paul II during his visit to Heaton Park to celebrate Mass in 1982, covered the Oldham riots and keept order during the miners’ strike in the 1980s.

“As much as I loved policing, I decided that it was time for a complete change after 30 years.

“My partner, Philomena, and I had talked about running a pub for a while. I loved being in the community and meeting people as a police officer and hopefully running a pub will help me keep my finger on the pulse and keep up to date with all the local gossip.

“Philomena works as a PA at the Trinity Mirror printing press in Hollinwood, so the idea is that she is the organised one and I’m used to dealing with people, so hopefully we’ll do a good job of running the pub between us.”

Michael has already completed a week’s training to prepare for the job and is all set to replace outgoing landlord Colin Guest in the middle of August.

He said: “The Grey Mare was always on my beat and it’s a very good pub, which never has any trouble. I’m looking forward to the challenge.”