Plea to back local pubs

MINE’S A PINT . . . The Shambles in Dobcross is the latest Saddleworth pub to close.

A DOBCROSS resident is urging locals to back their local boozer following the closure of one of the village’s pubs.

Punters could have supped their last pint in the Shambles for a while after Andy Thornton called time on his role as landlord.

Michael Powis, who produces the Dobcross Diary newsletter, says that village businesses like the pub will be lost without support from locals.

He said: “It’s such an important part of village life. We can’t take it for granted that they are always going to be there.

“Pubs are closing down all over the place and we need to support them.

“When The Swan closed a few years ago it left a big hole in the village and heart of the community.

“People need a reason to go into a pub these days because they can drink so cheaply at home.

“Pubs really bring the social aspect to a community though, but they need to do more to promote themselves.”

The pub, formerly known as the Woolpack, reopened in January, attempting to boost business by installing a new boules court in the beer garden and decorating the building with colourful flags during the World Cup.

Owned by Enterprise Inns, it is the company’s second Saddleworth business to close its doors this year.

The Farrars Arms in Greenfield closed in May, when managers decided to call it a day after losing between £500 and £1,000 a week.