Struggling to survive

TRYING to stay positive...Mark and Sue Howarth.

THE owners of a Strinesdale pub fear they are facing a bleak Christmas as road closures have seen trade plummet.

Sue and Mark Howarth, who have run the Roebuck Inn in Brighton Lane for 25 years, say work to repair retaining walls in Roebuck Lane has seen their takings drop by 16 per cent.

The work, which started in September and is due to run until March, 2011, is part of a £20 million programme across Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport and Tameside.

Sue said: “Our takings have suffered terribly and I really don’t know if we are going to survive. I am losing sleep over this and think about it all the time.

“We’ve had bad spells before, such as the heavy snow last year, but we’ve always managed to get through. It’s never been as bad as this.

“If people book over the phone, we can explain the situation with the road to them but we have lost all our passing trade as people think we are shut or assume that they won’t be able to get to us.

“There are signs up in Huddersfield Road saying ‘Roebuck Lane closed’ with diversion signs directing people down Ripponden Road, so people assume we are closed. But we are on Brighton Road which is open.

“I understand it is vital work that is being done and the council has been very helpful and understanding and done its best. But I think clearer signage would make the situation a lot better.

“We used to get a lot of people coming in for lunch or on a Sunday when they were out for a drive but they are being diverted away and there are plenty of other places to eat so we are getting forgotten.

Anniversary
“It’s a horrible situation and I just want people to realise that we are still here and we are still open.

“We have already cut back on staff and we are digging into our pensions and savings to survive so we will have nothing left soon. We are trying to stay positive but it is hard.

“It is our 25th anniversary at the pub next month so it should be a time of happiness but the way things are going, there won’t be much to celebrate.”

Councillor John McCann, cabinet member for regeneration and environment, said: “Oldham Council sympathises fully with Mr and Mrs Howarth and appreciate that they understand the retaining wall work we are carrying out in the area is essential.

“A council official will visit them over the next couple of days to listen to their concerns. We thank them for their patience.

“I have visited the venue in the past and have enjoyed excellent meals in there — we fully support the couple.”