Road collapse sinks pub trade

Landlord Peter Shawcross and wife Marie

A worried pub landlord fears for the future of his business as a road closure continues to drive customers away.

Peter Shawcross, of the Bull’s Head in Ogden Lane, Newhey, has seen takings slump by more than 50 per cent.

Rochdale Online reported how a 50-ton drilling rig, used for retaining wall repair work, caused near-by Huddersfield Road to collapse. The road was closed and a diversion put in place.

But now it has emerged it could take three weeks before the busy road, which links Newhey to Denshaw, reopens.

Mr Shawcross, who worked at the popular pub for 22 years before taking the reins in 2008, said: “The diversion is nine miles-long and there are many other restaurants along the way. I can’t imagine people would drive all that way past other places to come here.
“On typical week-nights, I usually do around 50 meals. That has dropped to around 10. On Sundays, we can do as many as 280 meals but this week it was 110.

“It is usually a busy pub so it’s heartbreaking to see it so quiet. I had to cancel the pub quiz this week — there’s no way I can pay someone to host it when there are no customers here. I have had to tell staff not to come in because I can’t afford to pay their wages and there’s no one here for them to serve.

“Other pubs in the area have been forced to close without having to deal with this problem as times are tough financially. It is crippling me and I am not sure how I am going to cope.

“I am praying that the work is finished sooner rather than later and we can get back to normal before the next Bank Holiday on May 30. Its a waiting game.”

A spokesperson for Rochdale Borough Council said: “The 21 day emergency closure is in place. We are confident the work can be completed within this time, and we will also be working during the weekends, so the road can be re-opened safely as soon as possible.”