Ye Olde Man & Scythe closes ‘temporarily’ (From The Bolton News)

Sad news of the sudden closure. I feel for the staff, most who have worked there for years.

Dreadful news. Each time we've been in recently it's been so full that we've had to move on to a quieter pub.

somthing wiered going on i think,

I'm absolutely devastated about the closure of the Man & Scythe. I was only in there on Saturday night and sampled what could possibly be the last ever strawberry cider. Ever since John Jewitt died the aura of the place changed but the pub still remained quite popular. This is a perplexing decision and I really hope that the pub will be reopened imminently but the signs aren't looking good. My sympathy goes out to the students/ post-graduates who worked there and my very old friend Wayne Jones.

very bad news, a classic british pub goes by the wayside....s o s

please rescue

Aw no way :-(

I loved the Man & Scythe because it was always a different place to go in on a night out. It was always the last pub visited before we headed to a club. The pints of thatchers really hit home as well...

I'm almost certain that someone with a similar outlook will take it over, it's not a building that can be modernised which is great.

Either that or they'll knock it down. Infact, I bet that's the most likely scenario.

If this pub has had financial problems due to the current economic climate then I think it is right that the council should step in and get it back open as soon as possible with financial help as the pub is an integral part of Boltons past. Very sad day for Bolton

pecky2k wrote:
If this pub has had financial problems due to the current economic climate then I think it is right that the council should step in and get it back open as soon as possible with financial help as the pub is an integral part of Boltons past. Very sad day for Bolton

Another day and yet another retail place closes - Do you honestly think that Bolton MBC will step in. They haven't with any of the others and as the Markey Hall and the old Bolton College building and Odeon has shown Bolton MBC don't give two hoots about the history of the town!!!

Bolton is dying and the councillors are dont sweet FA apart from getting their rich picking wages!!!!

This is ominous in every sense. It may be time finally to put up the shutters in Bolton.

given the historic significance of this pub to Bolton then surely the council must step in to do something.
but there is something not right with the reporting of this story. i very seldomly go to this pub, but have been in. people cannot be made redundant by text, employment law states there must be consultation interviews etc, periods of notice. can anyone clarify what really happened?

Can't say im surprised to be honest, Another pub lost to the economic climate and the smoking ban. A great pub with a lot of history and not forgetting a cracking pint of thatchers.

Another one of Enterprise inns pubs has gone.....tut tut tut

No doubt it will end up being another pound shop frequented by our local immigrant population!!!

It's so sad that such a huge part of the history and heritage of Bolton has gone with the closure of this pub, it's really quite upsetting, it definately does seem wierd that they should be made redundant just like that by text, I am sure that this would go against employment law or something.

Ye old man closes down and Martin Taylor finishes on the piano in Barristers - what the hell is happening to Bolton....feel for the team that worked so hard there and every year the effort put into the medieval themed event. Not a great day for the history of Bolton.

Terrible for the town and for the staff. What a way to inform staff that they are out of a job too.
This town is dying.

Very sad but hardly surprising, how long are the people of Bolton going to continue to vote these Councillors into power ? The Town is dying on it's feet and yet they continue to sit back, do nothing about it and rack up their expenses, scandalous, RIP Bolton, was nice knowing You

I have lived in Spain for the last twelve years, and, yes, Bolton is going down the tubes - it looks worse every time I come back, but the people don't change. It's still a great place in spite of the efforts of the council. I worked at the Man & Scythe in the seventies, when Edna May Woodward was the landlady, and the world-famous "Strawberry Nose" was in charge of the day-to-day running of the place. In spite of what some correspondents have written, Ye Olde Man & Scythe, due to its listed status, cannot be bulldozed or turned into a "pound shop". I think Enterprise Inns (if they are the owners, as someone has pointed out), will bring it back into use before too long. The question is, will they screw it up?

keithcog wrote:
I have lived in Spain for the last twelve years, and, yes, Bolton is going down the tubes - it looks worse every time I come back, but the people don't change. It's still a great place in spite of the efforts of the council. I worked at the Man & Scythe in the seventies, when Edna May Woodward was the landlady, and the world-famous "Strawberry Nose" was in charge of the day-to-day running of the place. In spite of what some correspondents have written, Ye Olde Man & Scythe, due to its listed status, cannot be bulldozed or turned into a "pound shop". I think Enterprise Inns (if they are the owners, as someone has pointed out), will bring it back into use before too long. The question is, will they screw it up?

"probably"

This sad closure is yet another fine example of the level of incompetence at our corrupt and bureaucratic town. I couldn't help but notice another international market in the town recently, did anyone ask for that? In my opinion even the food and drink festival is a complete waste of time. When will the people of Bolton wake up and question the powers that be about the way our town is being run? Soon I hope, otherwise there'll be nothing left to express concern about.

Surely its a listed building? I do hope (laughing out loud) councilors do step in to ensure its not modernized/ developed . Churchgate is ever changing, what with BEN I know its not called that moving and previously the department store going........whats next?

I was gutted when I read this. The Man and Scythe is (was) the only town center pub with character. It also appealed to a wide range of customers, more discerning customers who like to sample the wide range of beers and ciders on ale. My fear is the brewery want to turn it into yet another town centre bar, blaring out recorded pop music (rather than the live bands on a friday and saturday evenings), selling cold fizzy pi$$ (sorry lager) to teenagers who just want to neck as much as possible.

Awful news, another peice of history down the drain xx

Well everybody, it has come to light that Ye Old Man & Scythe was shut due to a licensing technicality. Apparently there were numerous reminders for it to be renewed and it wasn't. This is being dealt with and the issue should be resolved very shortly. Hallelujah! I despair at how the town has become with pretentious bars popping up everywhere. After the demise of Barristers and the loss of its supremely talented piano player the Scythe is one of very few places remaining with atmosphere and charisma.

It was the first pub I went him when I moved to Bolton in the 1960's, and I worked there in the late 60's early 70's. Landlady Enda was a lovely lady and Bill....well Bill was Bill...spent most of his time barring people....what a charachter.
I have loads of very happy memories.....and have just posted an old photo from late 60's on my timeline....we are all outside watching the Morris Men.
I loved the M6 Breakdown band who used to play there every week.
I do hope it reopens...

keithcog wrote:
I have lived in Spain for the last twelve years, and, yes, Bolton is going down the tubes - it looks worse every time I come back, but the people don't change. It's still a great place in spite of the efforts of the council. I worked at the Man & Scythe in the seventies, when Edna May Woodward was the landlady, and the world-famous "Strawberry Nose" was in charge of the day-to-day running of the place. In spite of what some correspondents have written, Ye Olde Man & Scythe, due to its listed status, cannot be bulldozed or turned into a "pound shop". I think Enterprise Inns (if they are the owners, as someone has pointed out), will bring it back into use before too long. The question is, will they screw it up?

Everything enterprise inns touch, always goes the opposite way, terrible people ...

Absolutely shocked by this news, worked at the Scythe late 90's for John, starting the catering side to the business and especially serving 17th century dishes to the Civil War Societies and Sealed Knot.It was shocking to hear of John's death and now this, after all the staff have done their very best to continue to carry on John's good work.To be told by text what was happening , was to say the least puzzeling in itself.Hope someone comes in now and continues the work John Jewitt did with his research into the history of this fine establishment . All the staff have worked tirelessley over the years and full credit to them who at this time must be totally stunned,

Reebok Rhythm wrote:
Well everybody, it has come to light that Ye Old Man & Scythe was shut due to a licensing technicality. Apparently there were numerous reminders for it to be renewed and it wasn't. This is being dealt with and the issue should be resolved very shortly. Hallelujah! I despair at how the town has become with pretentious bars popping up everywhere. After the demise of Barristers and the loss of its supremely talented piano player the Scythe is one of very few places remaining with atmosphere and charisma.

well i hope its true and it re-opens asap, i remember my first pint of thatchers !! deary me i had a hangover for a week lol !

The town isn't dying, the town is dead!

Cant believe it i was in there on Saturday night ! watching the live band sharing a few sherbets with friends , Its not even as if it was quiet or empty it was packed and buzzing. I worked there a few years back it was great i used to go in with my mates after work. The history of the pub is amazing right back to the 1500s. I hope whatever they decide they don't change it the place is loaded with Character, Maybe its the Queen after what we did to the Earl of Derby !!!!!

tommy wrote:
Aw no way :-(

I loved the Man & Scythe because it was always a different place to go in on a night out. It was always the last pub visited before we headed to a club. The pints of thatchers really hit home as well...

I'm almost certain that someone with a similar outlook will take it over, it's not a building that can be modernised which is great.

Either that or they'll knock it down. Infact, I bet that's the most likely scenario.

No, they definitely won't knock it down. It's 750 years old. May be to do with the poor lady who lost her husband not wanting to carry on. And as another poster says, very busy. I'm sure it will be open again soon.

Yes its really sad that the Man and Scythe has closed, but look at the wider picture, what's really left in Bolton? A shabby town with more than its fare share of charity shops, pound shops, pawn shops and cash for who knows what! Some idiot councillor said Bolton is a wonderful place to live, that's why so many people want to move here. It's common knowledge that neighbouring councils refuse to rehouse ex offenders and drug addicts but Bolton council are more than willing to give them homes usually making life totally unbearable for their neighbours. So what do we do? Move out and leave them to it, or fight for what the majority of Bolton townsfolk deserve.

Oh dear, now I've got off my soap box, and got over the shock. The Man and Scythe brings back lots of happy memories and lots of crazy times. It was always the last port of call on the circuit, after the Pack Horse lounge bar, Yates's wine lodge, for an aussie white, the Millstone, the Golden Lion for a doc of draught sherry, and to finish it off a pint of that orange stuff with the bits floating in it. It was a pub I met friends in, took various friends to, took my mum for a meal in and had a great night with my lovely daughter and her friends. Although often rowdy, noisy and packed to the rafters, I always felt safe, so many characters.
So lets raise our glasses to the wonderful staff who made it all possible and wish them good luck for the future. Cheers!

My fiance was a bartender and called me when he found out this morning. I am from the US and still currently here. I am hurt for him and I hope that it is able to reopen shortly. He loved that job. :(

A lot of nostalgic journeys and, the now to be expected bashings of the council, but not much about the people who actually hold the purse strings and/or send texts to inform their staff that they are now unemployed.

Anyone who goes in the Scythe knows how busy it gets, at the weekend in particular, and as such we can't blame the recession or the smoking ban for it going under.

Where have the profits gone, why a text regarding several people's futures, what if anything is being done to get the place open in time for the licensed trade's busiest time of the year? Come on, somebody must know, yes?

A lot of nostalgic journeys and, the now to be expected bashings of the council, but not much about the people who actually hold the purse strings and/or send texts to inform their staff that they are now unemployed.

Anyone who goes in the Scythe knows how busy it gets, at the weekend in particular, and as such we can't blame the recession or the smoking ban for it going under.

Where have the profits gone, why a text regarding several people's futures, what if anything is being done to get the place open in time for the licensed trade's busiest time of the year? Come on, somebody must know, yes?

Very sad at this news - although not a pub-goer myself. What is even more shocking to me is the tendency nowadays to drop shock text messages onto staff telling them they have lost their jobs. Haven't management or other top bosses got the bottle to tell them face to face? That is the least courtesy they could offer - along with some sort of explanation as to why.

The truth behind the abandonment of this pub is as follows. Prior Mr Jewitt's death last year he was in discussion with Enterprise Inns over the new lease. Obviously following his death the offer was made to his widow of which she agreed to take on the pub. The lease however was never finalized and, as is obvious to all those who frequent the pub and work at the place, John's widow has never shown much interest in being there since.
She has walked away from the pub and as Enterprise failed to complete the lease and ensure all was legal the pub has closed.
The current economic situation is not to blame for this, merely a disinterest in the pub by the recent publican and the incompetence of the brewery in getting a legal agreement signed properly.

Something isn't right here; European law states that redundancy procedures must commence at least thirty days before the first employee is sacked, and any redundancies must first be discussed with both a trade union steward and the employee personally. Failure to do this can lead to a claim for a protective award. Then there follows that jobs made redundant cannot be subsequently offered to a different employee, so it seems the owners have no intention of re-opening this pub as it stands now. And finally, using text messages as a medium is considered not only illegal, but not good business practice. I think all employees of this company have a good claim for unfair dismissal, false practice and illegal use of Trade Law. Whatever the reasons for the closure, this company can look forward to a long and expensive legal battle.

Great pub and frequented it a lot in the 80s and 90s but went in there last about 3 years ago and was stunned to find a pint of lager at £3.45 a pint.Needless to say I have never been back since.

Bottom line is the pub trade is dying and in some cases dead.Scandalous beer prices,the smoking ban,pub violence,cheap supermarket beer prices and a lack of new ideas in the pub trade to attract new and ex pub goers back are the problem.The government keep raising the price of a pint and breweries seem to lack ambition. I am 45 but find very little that caters for the 30-50 age group in the entertainment industry these days.Being 45 nowadays is not like being 45 say 30 years ago.We have more spare time and less of us are married and the pub and club industry keep following this tired failed path of targeting the 18-30 crowd or alternatively the over 55 crowd in the workingmens/Labour/T
ory clubs.The entertainment industry and pubs and clubs need to wake up and realise there are millions of 30-50 year olds who want to socialise and attend pubs and clubs but have little or nothing for them.Build a pub or club for over 30s in Bolton or anywhere and it would do a roaring trade.

berushka wrote:
Something isn't right here; European law states that redundancy procedures must commence at least thirty days before the first employee is sacked, and any redundancies must first be discussed with both a trade union steward and the employee personally. Failure to do this can lead to a claim for a protective award. Then there follows that jobs made redundant cannot be subsequently offered to a different employee, so it seems the owners have no intention of re-opening this pub as it stands now. And finally, using text messages as a medium is considered not only illegal, but not good business practice. I think all employees of this company have a good claim for unfair dismissal, false practice and illegal use of Trade Law. Whatever the reasons for the closure, this company can look forward to a long and expensive legal battle.

First of all I doubt that any of these employees are members of a trade union given the nature of their work (part time etc). However, I hope any financial settlement reached is quick and fair because long legal battles on benefit the lawyers. Finally, I suspect if this pub was as busy over the whole week rather than just a couple of days then we wouldn't be having this discussion. How any pub keeps going in the current climate is beyond me.

watchmaker wrote:
Sad news of the sudden closure. I feel for the staff, most who have worked there for years.

I used to work at the Man and Scythe in 1987 to 1988, when old man John who is picture you see behind the bar frequented. Its a disgrace that you not only treat the staff like you have, just because you are a brewery does not give you the right to treat people like that and I hope whoever sent that text and whoever implemented it, get the bad calmer they are due. More importantly the pub is of great significance to Bolton and is a British treasure, the pub has so much history significant to the people of Bolton. You have to get this pub open again and real quick, you can not let such a historical place shut down. The Bolton council and business men should get this place taken from the brewery, a business man true to Bolton should take over freehold, keeping of course the cider and fine beers it provides, brewery's should not own historic buildings like this, they have no thought or care for its tradition, why would they, they just greedy people who want to make money. It has to re-open and you the people of Bolton have to fight for this, don't just lay down and let the brewery's walk all over us.

I DONT GIVE A MONKIES ABOUT IT CLOSING THERE ARE PLENTY MORE DIRTY WATERING HOLES IN BOLTON...JUST HOPE THE YE OLD PASTIE SHOP KEEPS OPEN.

macauley wrote:
I DONT GIVE A MONKIES ABOUT IT CLOSING THERE ARE PLENTY MORE DIRTY WATERING HOLES IN BOLTON...JUST HOPE THE YE OLD PASTIE SHOP KEEPS OPEN.

You are obviously not very educated, or you would understand its not a dirty watering hold but a magnificent building built in the 1600's with a tunnel to the Trinity church, that the church warden back then, used to use to sneak off for a drink, its also where the Earl of Derby ate his last breakfast before he was hung and its also one of the oldest pubs in Britain. I do agree the pasty shop should never close, love that place. And your shallow remark is very strange since those poor people who got a text message to say by the way your out of a job, in a recession, I am sure do give a monkies!

Enterprise Inns should be ashamed. They are closing pubs all over Bolton and district. They seem to charge reasonable rents for 12 months then put rents up to levels that make it impossible for landlords to make any profit. The Chetham in Chapeltown is on another shut down period. Same every 12 months. There are lots of others.What kind of business model is this? Enterprise Inns are a blight and should be closed down.

Nat's lad wrote:
Enterprise Inns should be ashamed. They are closing pubs all over Bolton and district. They seem to charge reasonable rents for 12 months then put rents up to levels that make it impossible for landlords to make any profit. The Chetham in Chapeltown is on another shut down period. Same every 12 months. There are lots of others.What kind of business model is this? Enterprise Inns are a blight and should be closed down.

if only they should be shut i would be dancing nekkid now..

Very sad day.the heart and soul of Bolton is dying . WE must start a campaign to reopen it.

The heart and soul of Bolton is dying . We must start a campaign to reopen it.

bekigee wrote:

macauley wrote: I DONT GIVE A MONKIES ABOUT IT CLOSING THERE ARE PLENTY MORE DIRTY WATERING HOLES IN BOLTON...JUST HOPE THE YE OLD PASTIE SHOP KEEPS OPEN.

You are obviously not very educated, or you would understand its not a dirty watering hold but a magnificent building built in the 1600's with a tunnel to the Trinity church, that the church warden back then, used to use to sneak off for a drink, its also where the Earl of Derby ate his last breakfast before he was hung and its also one of the oldest pubs in Britain. I do agree the pasty shop should never close, love that place. And your shallow remark is very strange since those poor people who got a text message to say by the way your out of a job, in a recession, I am sure do give a monkies!

YOUR RIGHT A FINE BUILDING BUT WRONG IN SAYING I AM NOT WELL EDUCATED BUT WE ARE ALL CAN HAVE OUR OWN VIIEW,THIS IS THE TROUBLE, SO SHUT UP OR GROW UP.

macauley wrote:

bekigee wrote:

macauley wrote: I DONT GIVE A MONKIES ABOUT IT CLOSING THERE ARE PLENTY MORE DIRTY WATERING HOLES IN BOLTON...JUST HOPE THE YE OLD PASTIE SHOP KEEPS OPEN.

You are obviously not very educated, or you would understand its not a dirty watering hold but a magnificent building built in the 1600's with a tunnel to the Trinity church, that the church warden back then, used to use to sneak off for a drink, its also where the Earl of Derby ate his last breakfast before he was hung and its also one of the oldest pubs in Britain. I do agree the pasty shop should never close, love that place. And your shallow remark is very strange since those poor people who got a text message to say by the way your out of a job, in a recession, I am sure do give a monkies!

YOUR RIGHT A FINE BUILDING BUT WRONG IN SAYING I AM NOT WELL EDUCATED BUT WE ARE ALL CAN HAVE OUR OWN VIIEW,THIS IS THE TROUBLE, SO SHUT UP OR GROW UP.

macauley wrote saying that he/she is well educated.Well if I may say macauuley I hope your parents didn't spend more than the bus-fare on your education or if you went to a state school then there is something very seriously wrong with the way the countries children are being brought-up.

I'm pretty sure that the 'Man and Scythe' will be serving the pints (and the absinthe) again soon.

What I find interesting is the way some posters have reacted to the closer, blaming the council for some inexplicable reason but over looking the dreadful way that private companies treat their employees.
Can you imagine the up-roar if the council sacked the workforce by text with no warning.

Been going in the Scythe myself since early '80s.... Gutted.

Anyway, that pub just can't stay shut. Its a Jewel....
My sister worked there for years too - when "Strawberry Nose" ran the bar... What an utter **** he was! I saw him bar some young chap on the spot once for asking:

"Can I have a pint of cider please?
Strawberry Nose says - "what cider?"
Young lad - "Er, er...."
Strawberry Nose - "Come on!"
Young Lad - "Er, Orange Cider."
Strawberry Nose - "ORANGE CIDER?!!!! ORANGE CIDER!!!!!!! WHATS ORANGE CIDER!!!!!! GET OUT! YOUR BARRED!"

And that was that!

T

The Man and Scythe clearly couldn't deal with the massive dip in profits once the staff of the Bolton News moved from Churchgate.

hatonfire wrote:

macauley wrote:

bekigee wrote:

macauley wrote: I DONT GIVE A MONKIES ABOUT IT CLOSING THERE ARE PLENTY MORE DIRTY WATERING HOLES IN BOLTON...JUST HOPE THE YE OLD PASTIE SHOP KEEPS OPEN.

You are obviously not very educated, or you would understand its not a dirty watering hold but a magnificent building built in the 1600's with a tunnel to the Trinity church, that the church warden back then, used to use to sneak off for a drink, its also where the Earl of Derby ate his last breakfast before he was hung and its also one of the oldest pubs in Britain. I do agree the pasty shop should never close, love that place. And your shallow remark is very strange since those poor people who got a text message to say by the way your out of a job, in a recession, I am sure do give a monkies!

YOUR RIGHT A FINE BUILDING BUT WRONG IN SAYING I AM NOT WELL EDUCATED BUT WE ARE ALL CAN HAVE OUR OWN VIIEW,THIS IS THE TROUBLE, SO SHUT UP OR GROW UP.

macauley wrote saying that he/she is well educated.Well if I may say macauuley I hope your parents didn't spend more than the bus-fare on your education or if you went to a state school then there is something very seriously wrong with the way the countries children are being brought-up.

You mean "country's", not "countries". HTH

Reality50 wrote:
Bottom line is the pub trade is dying and in some cases dead.Scandalous beer prices,the smoking ban,pub violence,cheap supermarket beer prices and a lack of new ideas in the pub trade to attract new and ex pub goers back are the problem.The government keep raising the price of a pint and breweries seem to lack ambition. I am 45 but find very little that caters for the 30-50 age group in the entertainment industry these days.Being 45 nowadays is not like being 45 say 30 years ago.We have more spare time and less of us are married and the pub and club industry keep following this tired failed path of targeting the 18-30 crowd or alternatively the over 55 crowd in the workingmens/Labour/T ory clubs.The entertainment industry and pubs and clubs need to wake up and realise there are millions of 30-50 year olds who want to socialise and attend pubs and clubs but have little or nothing for them.Build a pub or club for over 30s in Bolton or anywhere and it would do a roaring trade.

Quite a few things to mention here....
1. The Smoking ban - we have now had the ban for over 5 years and as such believe that any pub closure nowadays has NOTHING to do with the smoking ban.
2. Beer prices - there is a lot more to the price than the duty! Yes the duty is heavy, but nowhere near as heavy as it is with fuel or cigarettes, but breweries know that the lay-man will always blame taxation and as such they charge the pubs and bars extortionate prices for the beers and as uch that price has to be passed on to the customer. Local breweries such as Bank Top and even Holts actually have much cheaper beer prices and sell for much less per pint. If anything i blame the large breweries who are cashing in.
3. Ties pubs, whether they are tied to a brewery or to a free-house chain, rents can be as cheap as cheap for the first couple of years and then go through the roof - who can a landlord/lady recoup the difference - only way is by increasing the prices, unfortunately - again not the fault of the smoking ban or government taxation but private companies profiteering.
4. I agree that the bars and pubs have little to offer the majority, but the successful ones do have something to offer and do flourish. Its about time people realised what people want and offer that - only then will profit be made and not just at weekends.
5. Problem with town centre drinking druing the week, except for the youngsters, is that what time are the last buses to most parts of the town - TfGM and the private bus companies keep cutting and cutting the times of the last bus and in most areas now the last bus is around 7pm in the evenings - otherwise is a taxi home which does cost more - why can't the councillors do a lot more to gain the extra times for the bus services or just provide a bus service say at 10pm and 11pm (and at weekends 12am and 1am) - to help solve the situation.

BWFC71 wrote:

Reality50 wrote: Bottom line is the pub trade is dying and in some cases dead.Scandalous beer prices,the smoking ban,pub violence,cheap supermarket beer prices and a lack of new ideas in the pub trade to attract new and ex pub goers back are the problem.The government keep raising the price of a pint and breweries seem to lack ambition. I am 45 but find very little that caters for the 30-50 age group in the entertainment industry these days.Being 45 nowadays is not like being 45 say 30 years ago.We have more spare time and less of us are married and the pub and club industry keep following this tired failed path of targeting the 18-30 crowd or alternatively the over 55 crowd in the workingmens/Labour/T ory clubs.The entertainment industry and pubs and clubs need to wake up and realise there are millions of 30-50 year olds who want to socialise and attend pubs and clubs but have little or nothing for them.Build a pub or club for over 30s in Bolton or anywhere and it would do a roaring trade.

Quite a few things to mention here.... 1. The Smoking ban - we have now had the ban for over 5 years and as such believe that any pub closure nowadays has NOTHING to do with the smoking ban. 2. Beer prices - there is a lot more to the price than the duty! Yes the duty is heavy, but nowhere near as heavy as it is with fuel or cigarettes, but breweries know that the lay-man will always blame taxation and as such they charge the pubs and bars extortionate prices for the beers and as uch that price has to be passed on to the customer. Local breweries such as Bank Top and even Holts actually have much cheaper beer prices and sell for much less per pint. If anything i blame the large breweries who are cashing in. 3. Ties pubs, whether they are tied to a brewery or to a free-house chain, rents can be as cheap as cheap for the first couple of years and then go through the roof - who can a landlord/lady recoup the difference - only way is by increasing the prices, unfortunately - again not the fault of the smoking ban or government taxation but private companies profiteering. 4. I agree that the bars and pubs have little to offer the majority, but the successful ones do have something to offer and do flourish. Its about time people realised what people want and offer that - only then will profit be made and not just at weekends. 5. Problem with town centre drinking druing the week, except for the youngsters, is that what time are the last buses to most parts of the town - TfGM and the private bus companies keep cutting and cutting the times of the last bus and in most areas now the last bus is around 7pm in the evenings - otherwise is a taxi home which does cost more - why can't the councillors do a lot more to gain the extra times for the bus services or just provide a bus service say at 10pm and 11pm (and at weekends 12am and 1am) - to help solve the situation.

Reality50 wrote: 5. Problem with town centre drinking druing the week, except for the youngsters, is that what time are the last buses to most parts of the town - TfGM and the private bus companies keep cutting and cutting the times of the last bus and in most areas now the last bus is around 7pm in the evenings - otherwise is a taxi home which does cost more - why can't the councillors do a lot more to gain the extra times for the bus services or just provide a bus service say at 10pm and 11pm (and at weekends 12am and 1am) - to help solve the situation. "

I agree with that. I went out on Friday and the last bus home was 10:30. I didn't want to have to fork out loads for a taxi so ended up leaving the night out early. We'd spent most of the night in barristers/man and scythe and would spend much longer there if the buses ran later

The staff need to get hold of ET1 forms as soon as possible so that they can take a claim to an Employment Tribunal. They can get them from the nearest Job Centre Plus.
They have three months from the date of dismissal and they should seek legal advice on filling them in.
If they are not union members they should consider approaching the GMB office on St. Georges Road, close to the junction with Knowsley Street.
The GMB may provide support and info if the staff join the GMB.
I know the GMB have done this in other Northwest towns.
The manner of their dismissal suggests they have a good case although as the loathsome Tories have just changed the law it means that staff may need two years service rather than one in order to take a claim to a tribunal. Their position will be clarified by legal advice, it will be much, much cheaper to join the GMB.

MarkAllRead wrote:

hatonfire wrote:

macauley wrote:

bekigee wrote:

macauley wrote: I DONT GIVE A MONKIES ABOUT IT CLOSING THERE ARE PLENTY MORE DIRTY WATERING HOLES IN BOLTON...JUST HOPE THE YE OLD PASTIE SHOP KEEPS OPEN.

You are obviously not very educated, or you would understand its not a dirty watering hold but a magnificent building built in the 1600's with a tunnel to the Trinity church, that the church warden back then, used to use to sneak off for a drink, its also where the Earl of Derby ate his last breakfast before he was hung and its also one of the oldest pubs in Britain. I do agree the pasty shop should never close, love that place. And your shallow remark is very strange since those poor people who got a text message to say by the way your out of a job, in a recession, I am sure do give a monkies!

YOUR RIGHT A FINE BUILDING BUT WRONG IN SAYING I AM NOT WELL EDUCATED BUT WE ARE ALL CAN HAVE OUR OWN VIIEW,THIS IS THE TROUBLE, SO SHUT UP OR GROW UP.

macauley wrote saying that he/she is well educated.Well if I may say macauuley I hope your parents didn't spend more than the bus-fare on your education or if you went to a state school then there is something very seriously wrong with the way the countries children are being brought-up.

You mean "country's", not "countries". HTH

YOU SAD THING,YOU WANT TO LEARN TO SPELL OR COPY ALSO.IF YOU CAN READ MY NAME IS SPELT MACAULEY AND NOT MACAUULEY,SO I DONT KNOW WHAT SCHOOL YOU WENT IF ANY DUMBO.CRAUL BACK TO THAT DIVE IT IT DOES RE-OPEN.

macauley wrote:

MarkAllRead wrote:

hatonfire wrote:

macauley wrote:

bekigee wrote:

macauley wrote: I DONT GIVE A MONKIES ABOUT IT CLOSING THERE ARE PLENTY MORE DIRTY WATERING HOLES IN BOLTON...JUST HOPE THE YE OLD PASTIE SHOP KEEPS OPEN.

You are obviously not very educated, or you would understand its not a dirty watering hold but a magnificent building built in the 1600's with a tunnel to the Trinity church, that the church warden back then, used to use to sneak off for a drink, its also where the Earl of Derby ate his last breakfast before he was hung and its also one of the oldest pubs in Britain. I do agree the pasty shop should never close, love that place. And your shallow remark is very strange since those poor people who got a text message to say by the way your out of a job, in a recession, I am sure do give a monkies!

YOUR RIGHT A FINE BUILDING BUT WRONG IN SAYING I AM NOT WELL EDUCATED BUT WE ARE ALL CAN HAVE OUR OWN VIIEW,THIS IS THE TROUBLE, SO SHUT UP OR GROW UP.

macauley wrote saying that he/she is well educated.Well if I may say macauuley I hope your parents didn't spend more than the bus-fare on your education or if you went to a state school then there is something very seriously wrong with the way the countries children are being brought-up.

You mean "country's", not "countries". HTH

YOU SAD THING,YOU WANT TO LEARN TO SPELL OR COPY ALSO.IF YOU CAN READ MY NAME IS SPELT MACAULEY AND NOT MACAUULEY,SO I DONT KNOW WHAT SCHOOL YOU WENT IF ANY DUMBO.CRAUL BACK TO THAT DIVE IT IT DOES RE-OPEN.

Mate, I think you're a bit confused there about who-said-what. Calm down a little and notice that I didn't actually refer to you incorrectly or otherwise since I was responding to "hatonfire".

By the way, you mean "crawl" not "CRAUL", amongst your other mistakes.

So well done you.

MarkAllRead wrote:

macauley wrote:

MarkAllRead wrote:

hatonfire wrote:

macauley wrote:

bekigee wrote:

macauley wrote: I DONT GIVE A MONKIES ABOUT IT CLOSING THERE ARE PLENTY MORE DIRTY WATERING HOLES IN BOLTON...JUST HOPE THE YE OLD PASTIE SHOP KEEPS OPEN.

You are obviously not very educated, or you would understand its not a dirty watering hold but a magnificent building built in the 1600's with a tunnel to the Trinity church, that the church warden back then, used to use to sneak off for a drink, its also where the Earl of Derby ate his last breakfast before he was hung and its also one of the oldest pubs in Britain. I do agree the pasty shop should never close, love that place. And your shallow remark is very strange since those poor people who got a text message to say by the way your out of a job, in a recession, I am sure do give a monkies!

YOUR RIGHT A FINE BUILDING BUT WRONG IN SAYING I AM NOT WELL EDUCATED BUT WE ARE ALL CAN HAVE OUR OWN VIIEW,THIS IS THE TROUBLE, SO SHUT UP OR GROW UP.

macauley wrote saying that he/she is well educated.Well if I may say macauuley I hope your parents didn't spend more than the bus-fare on your education or if you went to a state school then there is something very seriously wrong with the way the countries children are being brought-up.

You mean "country's", not "countries". HTH

YOU SAD THING,YOU WANT TO LEARN TO SPELL OR COPY ALSO.IF YOU CAN READ MY NAME IS SPELT MACAULEY AND NOT MACAUULEY,SO I DONT KNOW WHAT SCHOOL YOU WENT IF ANY DUMBO.CRAUL BACK TO THAT DIVE IT IT DOES RE-OPEN.

Mate, I think you're a bit confused there about who-said-what. Calm down a little and notice that I didn't actually refer to you incorrectly or otherwise since I was responding to "hatonfire". By the way, you mean "crawl" not "CRAUL", amongst your other mistakes. So well done you.

PLEASE DONT CALL ME YOUR MATE YOU SAD PERSON.NOW JUST JOG ON TO YOUR NEXT DIVE OF A PUB.

macauley wrote:

MarkAllRead wrote:

macauley wrote:

MarkAllRead wrote:

hatonfire wrote:

macauley wrote:

bekigee wrote:

macauley wrote: I DONT GIVE A MONKIES ABOUT IT CLOSING THERE ARE PLENTY MORE DIRTY WATERING HOLES IN BOLTON...JUST HOPE THE YE OLD PASTIE SHOP KEEPS OPEN.

You are obviously not very educated, or you would understand its not a dirty watering hold but a magnificent building built in the 1600's with a tunnel to the Trinity church, that the church warden back then, used to use to sneak off for a drink, its also where the Earl of Derby ate his last breakfast before he was hung and its also one of the oldest pubs in Britain. I do agree the pasty shop should never close, love that place. And your shallow remark is very strange since those poor people who got a text message to say by the way your out of a job, in a recession, I am sure do give a monkies!

YOUR RIGHT A FINE BUILDING BUT WRONG IN SAYING I AM NOT WELL EDUCATED BUT WE ARE ALL CAN HAVE OUR OWN VIIEW,THIS IS THE TROUBLE, SO SHUT UP OR GROW UP.

macauley wrote saying that he/she is well educated.Well if I may say macauuley I hope your parents didn't spend more than the bus-fare on your education or if you went to a state school then there is something very seriously wrong with the way the countries children are being brought-up.

You mean "country's", not "countries". HTH

YOU SAD THING,YOU WANT TO LEARN TO SPELL OR COPY ALSO.IF YOU CAN READ MY NAME IS SPELT MACAULEY AND NOT MACAUULEY,SO I DONT KNOW WHAT SCHOOL YOU WENT IF ANY DUMBO.CRAUL BACK TO THAT DIVE IT IT DOES RE-OPEN.

Mate, I think you're a bit confused there about who-said-what. Calm down a little and notice that I didn't actually refer to you incorrectly or otherwise since I was responding to "hatonfire". By the way, you mean "crawl" not "CRAUL", amongst your other mistakes. So well done you.

PLEASE DONT CALL ME YOUR MATE YOU SAD PERSON.NOW JUST JOG ON TO YOUR NEXT DIVE OF A PUB.

I didn't think you'd have the class to admit you made a mistake. Ah well.

As others have commented, this closure (driven by a number of factors) is unfortunately yet another nail in the coffin for Bolton and the advance of homogenous, soul-less, retail parks, supermarkets and dying town/city centres.

Is there a viable option for the people of Bolton (whether through a co-operative or another forum) to come together and take over the pub and the lease? Obviously, the technicalities are complex but if we want to change this situation, then shouldn't we take charge? There are options and we can do this.

MarkAllRead wrote:

macauley wrote:

MarkAllRead wrote:

macauley wrote:

MarkAllRead wrote:

hatonfire wrote:

macauley wrote:

bekigee wrote:

macauley wrote: I DONT GIVE A MONKIES ABOUT IT CLOSING THERE ARE PLENTY MORE DIRTY WATERING HOLES IN BOLTON...JUST HOPE THE YE OLD PASTIE SHOP KEEPS OPEN.

You are obviously not very educated, or you would understand its not a dirty watering hold but a magnificent building built in the 1600's with a tunnel to the Trinity church, that the church warden back then, used to use to sneak off for a drink, its also where the Earl of Derby ate his last breakfast before he was hung and its also one of the oldest pubs in Britain. I do agree the pasty shop should never close, love that place. And your shallow remark is very strange since those poor people who got a text message to say by the way your out of a job, in a recession, I am sure do give a monkies!

YOUR RIGHT A FINE BUILDING BUT WRONG IN SAYING I AM NOT WELL EDUCATED BUT WE ARE ALL CAN HAVE OUR OWN VIIEW,THIS IS THE TROUBLE, SO SHUT UP OR GROW UP.

macauley wrote saying that he/she is well educated.Well if I may say macauuley I hope your parents didn't spend more than the bus-fare on your education or if you went to a state school then there is something very seriously wrong with the way the countries children are being brought-up.

You mean "country's", not "countries". HTH

YOU SAD THING,YOU WANT TO LEARN TO SPELL OR COPY ALSO.IF YOU CAN READ MY NAME IS SPELT MACAULEY AND NOT MACAUULEY,SO I DONT KNOW WHAT SCHOOL YOU WENT IF ANY DUMBO.CRAUL BACK TO THAT DIVE IT IT DOES RE-OPEN.

Mate, I think you're a bit confused there about who-said-what. Calm down a little and notice that I didn't actually refer to you incorrectly or otherwise since I was responding to "hatonfire". By the way, you mean "crawl" not "CRAUL", amongst your other mistakes. So well done you.

PLEASE DONT CALL ME YOUR MATE YOU SAD PERSON.NOW JUST JOG ON TO YOUR NEXT DIVE OF A PUB.

I didn't think you'd have the class to admit you made a mistake. Ah well.

WE ALL MAKE MISTAKES,YOURS IS GOING TO THAT PIT.SO DONT EVEN TALK ABOUT CLASS YOU BIMBO.

I hope the staff do well out of the redundancies, they were brilliant, such a shame they were let go.

macauley wrote:

MarkAllRead wrote:

macauley wrote:

MarkAllRead wrote:

macauley wrote:

MarkAllRead wrote:

hatonfire wrote:

macauley wrote:

bekigee wrote:

macauley wrote: I DONT GIVE A MONKIES ABOUT IT CLOSING THERE ARE PLENTY MORE DIRTY WATERING HOLES IN BOLTON...JUST HOPE THE YE OLD PASTIE SHOP KEEPS OPEN.

You are obviously not very educated, or you would understand its not a dirty watering hold but a magnificent building built in the 1600's with a tunnel to the Trinity church, that the church warden back then, used to use to sneak off for a drink, its also where the Earl of Derby ate his last breakfast before he was hung and its also one of the oldest pubs in Britain. I do agree the pasty shop should never close, love that place. And your shallow remark is very strange since those poor people who got a text message to say by the way your out of a job, in a recession, I am sure do give a monkies!

YOUR RIGHT A FINE BUILDING BUT WRONG IN SAYING I AM NOT WELL EDUCATED BUT WE ARE ALL CAN HAVE OUR OWN VIIEW,THIS IS THE TROUBLE, SO SHUT UP OR GROW UP.

macauley wrote saying that he/she is well educated.Well if I may say macauuley I hope your parents didn't spend more than the bus-fare on your education or if you went to a state school then there is something very seriously wrong with the way the countries children are being brought-up.

You mean "country's", not "countries". HTH

YOU SAD THING,YOU WANT TO LEARN TO SPELL OR COPY ALSO.IF YOU CAN READ MY NAME IS SPELT MACAULEY AND NOT MACAUULEY,SO I DONT KNOW WHAT SCHOOL YOU WENT IF ANY DUMBO.CRAUL BACK TO THAT DIVE IT IT DOES RE-OPEN.

Mate, I think you're a bit confused there about who-said-what. Calm down a little and notice that I didn't actually refer to you incorrectly or otherwise since I was responding to "hatonfire". By the way, you mean "crawl" not "CRAUL", amongst your other mistakes. So well done you.

PLEASE DONT CALL ME YOUR MATE YOU SAD PERSON.NOW JUST JOG ON TO YOUR NEXT DIVE OF A PUB.

I didn't think you'd have the class to admit you made a mistake. Ah well.

WE ALL MAKE MISTAKES,YOURS IS GOING TO THAT PIT.SO DONT EVEN TALK ABOUT CLASS YOU BIMBO.

Could I just point out that the tunnel went from the Man and Scythe to St Peter's, Bolton-le-Moors (aka Bolton Parish Church) and not to Trinity Church (facing the train station).

Also, the Earl of Derby was beheaded, NOT hanged.

I thank you.

It's a pub/business that has decided it cannot go on, what's the big deal ?

Getting made redundant by text is a bit rum granted, the management must have had an idea?

It must have been in trouble to close this close to Christmas, I would suspect it will open with Friday/Saturday openings only.

Let's face facts Bolton is very broken.

lets take a step back..........
it was a sh!t hole..
fact... sticky carpet,, ......most friday / saturady night p!ssheads like me graced it because it was the last place we cud get topped up before we went home,,, refuse entry to most pubs,, u would get another drink in here,, Cloudy cider...whatever ...end of era,, move on

sayithowitis99 wrote:
lets take a step back..........
it was a sh!t hole..
fact... sticky carpet,, ......most friday / saturady night p!ssheads like me graced it because it was the last place we cud get topped up before we went home,,, refuse entry to most pubs,, u would get another drink in here,, Cloudy cider...whatever ...end of era,, move on

Well said :)

am icorrect in saying there was a tesco on that row years ago.?

I hope the company remember the staff who worked there, and make a real effort to contact them and offer them their jobs back. If they toss the hard-working staff to the side of the road for no good reason, I don't think I'll enjoy the place again.