HUNDREDS of people have signed a petition for a boozer to be brought back to life.
The Woolpack pub in Pendleton shut down a year ago and has remained closed ever since.
However, it has now been put up for sale for £175,000 and sisters Gene Houghton and Carole Bridge are campaigning for it to be reopened as a pub.
The sisters have organised a petition which is available to sign at The Larder cafe in Salford Precinct.
The pub in Belvedere Road is described as a ‘development opportunity’ by the selling agents, who suggest it is ideal for a restaurant, day nursery or offices.
But Carole and Gene are determined it should return to being a community pub.
Carole, 49, of Pear Tree Court, Pendleton said: "I first went into The Woolpack when I was 18 and I was still going when it closed last year.
"The landlord retired and it closed.
"We thought that someone else might come into run it but then last week a for sale sign went up.
"We don’t want it to be anything other than a pub.
"I know quite a bit about the pub industry and The Woolpack was a great, busy pub - it would survive if it reopened.
"During the seventies and eighties the Broadwalk and Belvedere Road area had five pubs and was buzzing.
"Now we can’t even have friends round for drinks and music at home for fear of being served an ASBO. Are we not supposed to have a social life?
"The only alternative is to go into Manchester - but we want our local back."
Gene, 56, of Sycamore Court, Pendleton, said: "It was and will always remain the best pub in Salford.
"When these doors closed last year a community closed with it. People come from near and far, everyone knew each other and it was a pleasure to go to.
"The entertainment was second to none, especially on a Sunday afternoon. It was a fantastic place."
Showing comments 1 to 17 and replies | View All
Swizzle, boothstown (04/06/2009 at 15:24)
Erm, I have friends round for drinks and a bit of music without EVER being served with an ASBO. Maybe thats because I am a considerate neighbour who keeps the noise level down, has guests who don't get paraletic or abusive, and call it quits at a reasonable hour.
No one is stopping you having a social life love.
Good grief!
FrostySnowman (05/06/2009 at 08:27)
As it is being sold for development potential, it sounds like the premises licence could have lapsed. It is very difficult to get these back, but not impossible. At £175000 it is way too expensive for a pub, but some of the other options mantioned seem unrealistic as well. Possibly an Indian restaurant or something?
Carole Moore (05/06/2009 at 13:18)
Carole Anne, Anglesey, North Wales (05/06/2009 at 14:47)
Swizzle, boothstown (05/06/2009 at 16:11)
I was just wondering why they are not able to socialise in their own homes without the fear of being served with an ASBO as was mentioned in the article? It was my understanding that ASBO's were served for anti-social behaviour and not for a social soiree.
It was just that one sentence in the article which had me intrigued. I'm sorry it came across as an accusation of your sister's character.
They will be very welcome to round to my house for an evening of sherry, Pimms and Bach if they wish.
FrostySnowman (08/06/2009 at 08:59)
There is little point in starting a campaign to get it reopen as a pub, as no one who buys it can be guaranteed they will get the necessary licence, aside from the fact the price will not attract anyone
Carole Moore (08/06/2009 at 13:10)
FrostySnowman (08/06/2009 at 13:33)
A public house needs a Premises Licence granting in order for it to be run as a licensed Premises. As well as this, it needs a DPS (Designated Premises Supervisor) to run it. This is the new term for a landlord. So in effect two types of licence, one for the pub itself, and one for who ever is running it. This system means that anyone who is qualified to be a DPS can take over at any stage, just needs to have the name transferred which is now a simple preocess.
The problem seems to be that either the building no longer has the premises licence, or whoever owns it, thinks they can get more for it selling it as another use, its one of the two.
If it does not have a premises licence the process is a bit more convaluted, but as long as there are no objections, and the police seem ok wioth it , then it shoud be fine. Since its next door to the station its hardly likely to cause problems.
I would suggest a few local breweries, namely JW Lees, Holt's, Robinsons, all of whom have been purchasing pubs in recent months. CAMRA will be very good to advise you here.
Carole Moore (11/06/2009 at 16:50)
There is to be a meeting at The Oxford Pub on Wednesday 18 June 2009 at 8:00pm with CAMRA - to exchange ideas on how to upstage our campaign. Hazel Blears has expressed an interest in getting involved as have two other councillors, Norman Owen and Lynn Drake. Anybody wishing to attend will be most welcome. We have collected over 200 signatures so far!
Lancashire 4ever, Pendlebury, Manchester, Lancashire (11/06/2009 at 21:02)
Carole Moore (12/06/2009 at 13:49)
Gene Houghton (12/06/2009 at 14:56)
12.6.09
Gene Houghton
Carole Moore (12/06/2009 at 16:55)
Carole Moore (15/06/2009 at 15:30)
Holly Duffy (10/11/2009 at 13:18)
I am looking for information on the Woolpack so that I can write a story about it for my university. Is it possible if I could speak to someone organising the campaign? Hopefully, it will ensure more people sign the petition and more will know of the story.
H. Duffy.
Carole Anne, Anglesey, North Wales (11/11/2009 at 13:07)
Holly Duffy (19/11/2009 at 18:29)
My phone is currently getting upgraded and should be delivered tomorrow (depending on Royal Mail) which is why I have not been able to contact you and am doing so on this.
Would you be up for doing an interview for me?
Do you have an email address by any chance?
I am very interested in this story.
If you don't recieve this before phone arrives, I shall call you ASAP.
Thanks,
Holly.