Spiralling costs swamp the Swan

SWAN INN: bosses quitting

THE bosses of the Swan Inn, Dobcross, are quitting only 19 months after taking over the landmark site.

Set in the village square, the pub, known aa the Top House, has been in use for 250 years.

But the licensees, Howard Mellor and Simon Turner, are surrendering their lease to Marston’s Brewery because of spiralling costs.

Villagers have been left concerned that economic climate might force the Swan, which once served as a court house, to close for good .

Howard Mellor (44) is a member of the family who owned the Parkfield House Hotel, Moorside. Mr Turner (43), was chef at the Parkfield for more than 20 years.

Mr Mellor said: “It’s a very sad time but we could not afford the overheads. They are unacceptable.

“It’s a busy pub, particularly at the weekends, but we have to find astronomical outgoings before we sell any beer or food.

“We are both really upset about the situation but we cannot afford to go on. We do not know what will happen to the pub.”

Parish councillor Mike Buckley, who lives opposite the pub, is chairman of Saddleworth Historical Society.

He said: “It is terrible news. The Swan has been at the heart of our village and community for more than two centuries.

“It is a unique property and, when it was first built, was seen as an innovation because of its size.

“It has lots of delightful rooms, with cosy fires and a marvellous upstairs facility for meetings and entertaining.

“The tragedy is that since the 1970s we have lost more than 20 shops and businesses in Dobcross which used to be Saddleworth’s commercial centre. If the pub did close it would rip the heart out of the village.”

But a Marston’s spokesman said: “We are currently interviewing potential tenants. We aim to have the pub trading as soon as possible.”