Mare and Foal (Werneth, OLDHAM)

The former Mare and Foal in 2012.

The former Mare and Foal is situated at 2 Ashton Road in the Primrose Bank area of Werneth. It started life as the Horse and Jockey in 1802 and in 1811 it became the Mare and Foal. By 1939 the pub was in poor condition and the owner Wilsons Brewery submitted plans for a new Mare and Foal. The Second World War postponed the rebuild and strict control regarding the use of essential building materials meant that the new Mare and Foal wasn't built until 1957. The Mare and Foal closed in 2003 and became a restaurant/takeaway the following year. This is certainly a unique building for Oldham..a 1930s pub built in the 1950s and to top it has survived a war and two regeneration projects in the area.

The Three Crowns (Town Centre, OLDHAM)

The Three Crowns c.1965.

The Three Crowns was situated at 5 Manchester Street next to the One in Three pub. The One in three is still there although ironically it is now called the Three Crowns. It started as the Royal Horse Guards in 1823 changing to the Oddfellows Arms in 1832. It became the Three Crowns around 1847 and remained so until it closed in 1973 after being served a Compulsory Puchase Order (due to the Law Courts being built close by). The Three Crowns was demolished the following year.

Angel Inn (Crompton Fold, OLDHAM)

The former Angel Inn in 2012.

The former Angel Inn is located at 141 Buckstones Road in Crompton Fold just outside Shaw. It dates back to at least 1850 when it was first licensed as a public house. It was most likely a beerhouse for twenty years prior to this. The black and white cottages adjoining the property became part of the Angel in the 1880s. The Angel Inn closed in 1943 and became private dwellings.

Spinners Arms (Chadderton, OLDHAM)

1892 map showing the Spinners Arms.

The Spinners Arms was situated at 484 Middleton Road in Chadderton. Its location today would be the paved area in front of Chadderton Mall. It was built in 1861 directly opposite Melbourne Mill hence the name. The Spinners Arms was served a Compulsory Purchase Order in 1973 when the area was being redeveloped. It closed in May that year and was subsequently demolished.

Albion Inn (Chadderton, OLDHAM)

The former Albion Inn in 2011.

The Albion Inn was situated at the end of Under Lane at the junction with Drury Lane. It was built in 1867 and was popular with mill workers from the nearby Albion Mill. When the mill was demolished in 1938 there was a drop in trade which worsened when housing in the area gave way to light industry. It closed in 2011 and JW Lees auctioned off the property. As of 2012 the property is still vacant and currently for sale with planning permission for change of use to offices.

Live and Let Live (Glodwick, OLDHAM)

The Live and Let Live in 2006.

The Live and Let Live was situated at 141 Glodwick Road. It started as a beerhouse back in 1839 and was rebuilt in 1975 further back from the road to accomodate a car park. In 1982 Boddingtons reinvented the Live and Let Live into a "fun pub" called the Mardi Gras which only lasted until 1986 when they changed it back to a more traditional pub called the Turn of Luck. In 1994 there was a major refurbishment and the pub became the Live and Let Live again. In 2001 the pub became a focal point for the Oldham riots when it came under attack by local asians. It re-opened but trade suffered as a result and it finally closed in 2007 and subsequently became an asian clothes shop.

The Plough (Werneth, OLDHAM)

The former Plough Inn in 2006.

The Plough Inn was situated at 334 Manchester Street  and dates back to 1784. It started life as the Cheshire Cheese and didn't become the Plough until 1828. Whitbread rebuilt the plough in 1968 although the name "New Plough" seems to have come about when the pub was modernised around 1995. The Plough closed in 2006 and in 2007 became an indian restaurant.

Clarksfield Hotel (Clarksfield, OLDHAM)

The Clarksfield Hotel in 2002.

The Clarksfield Hotel was situated at 38 Ronald Street in Clarksfield. It was a purpose built pub built in 1899. It closed in 2001 and was converted into a private residence the following year.

Westwood Inn (Westwood, OLDHAM)

The Westwood Inn c.2005.

The Westwood Inn was located at the corner of Middleton Road and Featherstall Road South (its address was 175 Featherstall Road South). It opened around 1807 and became the Westwood Inn around 1816. The pub was extensively altered in 1981 when the Westwood lost the top storey of the building and had an extension built. It closed in 2004 and in 2008 became Britain's first muslim "pub". This wasn't successful and closed in less than a year. As of 2012 the former Westwood Inn is mixed use being a takeaway/offices.

Three Horseshoes (Mumps, OLDHAM)

The Three Horse Shoes c.1965. (barbershop far left).

The Three Horse Shoes opened in 1823 as the Horse Shoe and was situated at 3 Huddersfield Road (back then it was simply listed as Shoreditch). It became the Three Horse Shoes the following year. It closed in 1968 and demolished later that year. The location of the Three Horse Shoes today would be the slip road where Shaw Road meets Huddersfield Road.

Stamford Hotel (Holts, OLDHAM)

The former Stamford Hotel in 2012.

Stamford House stands on the corner of Lees New Road and Knowles Lane. It appears to have been built shortly before 1870 and is listed as the Stamford Hotel in the 1871 census. This is the only mention of the hotel as in the 1880s it is known as Stamford House.

Woolpack Inn (Mumps, OLDHAM)

1892 map showing location of the Woolpack Inn.

The Woopack Inn opened around 1820 and was located at 25 Gravel Walks in the Mumps area of Oldham. Wilsons Brewery bought the pub in 1896 but closed it the same year. It was demolished in the late 1940s but the neighbouring cottages still remain (they became a club and are now offices). The site of the former Woolpack Inn is now a building belonging to Gravel Walks Autos Ltd.

Greengate Inn (Limeside, OLDHAM)

The Greengate c.2000.

The Greengate Inn was situated at 2 Acacia Road in the Limeside area of Oldham. It was built in 1965 as a community pub for the newly built Limeside estate. I'm unsure as to when it officially closed as I have dates 1989, 1999 and 2006 from different sources but I do know it was demolished in 2008. The land is still waste ground with no signs of development at the time of writing.

Crown Hotel (Town Centre, OLDHAM)

The Crown Hotel in 1961.

The Crown Hotel was situated at 4 Cheapside (now the site of Henshaw House opposite the bus station). According to Rob Magge's excellent book, the Inns and Alehouses of Oldham, it has had at least five different names. Dating back to 1779 it became the Crown Inn 1870. It was rebuilt in 1902 and was a massive improvement on the previous building if only in appearance. It closed in 1961 and demolished later that year for the new C&A building (now Home Bargains).

Red Rose Inn (Holts, OLDHAM)

The Red Rose Inn in 2011.

The Red Rose Inn was situated on Lees New Road halfway between the junction with Windmore Avenue and the the junction with Near Birches Parade. It was built in 1964 and typical of Manchester "estate pubs" of the time. The Red Rose closed early in 2011 and in October that year was sold. It is now the Red Rose convenience store.

Bees Wing (Alt, OLDHAM)

The former Bees Wing beerhouse in 2012.

The former Bees Wing beerhouse is situated at 88 Lane Head Road. It had been a beerhouse from 1839 until 1872. Back then it's address would have been Souther Causeway. It is now a private residence.

Turn of Luck (Town Centre, OLDHAM)

The Turn of Luck c.1960.

The Turn of Luck was situated at 227 West Street (roughly where the end of Fletcher Close is today). It opened in 1830 as the Oddfellows Arms but by 1886 was the Turn of Luck. The original Turn of Luck closed in 1899 when Oldham Brewery transferred the licence to the new Turn of Luck built on the corner of Fletcher Street. The new pub closed in 1969 after being served a Compulsory Purchase Order. It was demolished in 1973 and the site of the former Turn of Luck is now part of the West Street housing estate.

Market Hotel (Town Centre, OLDHAM)

The Market Hotel in the 1970s.

The Market Hotel was built in 1854 the year before Victoria Market was completed and was originally called the New Market Tavern. After the new market had been established it became the Market Hotel in 1859. Not much happened to the hotel apart from the gaining of a side aspect when a neighbouring property was demolished in 1906 to make way for a new road (Albion Street). The Market Hotel closed in 1980 and was demolished. The Halifax Building Society offices were built on the site.

Rising Sun (Scouthead, OLDHAM)

The former Rising Sun in Scouthead 2012.

The Rising Sun was situated at 1259 Huddersfield Road in Scouthead almost directly opposite the former Star Inn. The cottage and its immediate neighbours were built in 1825 and the Rising Sun was selling beer by 1840. At this time its address was simply "Wellfield" (later Wellfield House). The Rising Sun closed in 1935 after it was deemed redundant to requirements. The inn returned to being a private residence as it still is today.

Church Inn (Lees, OLDHAM)

1892 map showing the Church Inn (High Street at the top)

The Church Inn was situated in Lees with its address at the turn of the century being 6 Lees Square. It was the oldest recorded inn in Lees dating back to at least 1717 when it was known as the Angel. Between 1784 and 1848 the inn had been known by various names but the after nearby St Thomas's Church was completed in 1848 it became the Church Inn. It closed in 1913 in a sorry state of repair and after many summonses over the years. Rather unbelievably considering the age and condition of the former inn it wasn't demolished for almost half a century later. Lees library now occupied the site of the former Church Inn.

Morning Star (Werneth, OLDHAM)

The Morning Star in the 1980s.

The Morning Star was situated at 111 Featherstall Road in Werneth opposite what is now Prospect House. It opened as a beerhouse in 1854 and became a licenced public house in 1863. It became a Wilsons pub in 1904 and despite some modernisation in 1976 had virtually remained the same since the late 19th century. By the 1970s most of the surrounding housing had given way to industrial and commercial concerns and trade tapered off. It closed in 1988 and subsequently demolished.

Marston Tavern (Royton, OLDHAM)

The Marston Tavern in 1986.

The Marston Tavern started life as a beerhouse called the Radcliffe Arms around 1860. It was situated at 83 Rochdale Road at the junction with Radcliffe Street. The pub was purchased by Marstons Brewery in 1961 and after it was refurbished in 1976 a competition to rename it. The unimaginative Marton Tavern was the winner and that it remained until it closed in 2011.

The Blue Bell (Royton, OLDHAM)

The Blue Bell c.1950.

The Blue Bell was situated at 1 St Pauls Street and can be traced back to at least 1820. The only major alterations to the Blue Bell came in 1924 when the frontage was changed and the interior layout altered. It closed in 1970 and was demolished not long after. The site of the former Blue Bell today is occupied by housing.

William the Fourth (Royton, OLDHAM)

The William the Fourth c.1920.

The William the Fourth was situated at 177 Higginshaw Lane and dates to at least 1820. Around the 1870s nine terraced houses were built adjoining the pub to the north and the outline of these can be see in aerial photos of the area today. This is the waste ground lying opposite Topps Tiles. The William the Fourth closed sometime in the late 1920s and was eventually demolished in the early 70s.

The Apollo (Royton, OLDHAM)

1891 map showing location of the Apollo.

The Apollo stood at the corner of Park Lane and Rochdale Road. It's address was 173 Rochdale road and its location today would be the Rochdale bound bus stop at the park Lane junction. It was built around 1840 and by the 1850s had become a beerhouse called the Apollo. It closed in 1908 under the Compensation Act. The former Apollo appears to have been demolished around 1972.

Old Blue Cock Inn (Royton, OLDHAM)

The Old Blue Cock Inn in 1928 shortly before closure.

The Blue Cock Inn was situated in an area of Royton known as Gravel Hole. It's address was given as 140 Castleton Road. As to when it was built I'm unsure but it was certainly in existance from 1861. It closed in 1928 due to poor trade and the Old Blue Cock Inn became a private residence. In the 1960s the former Old Blue Cock Inn was demolished when the immediate area was landscaped for the building of a primary school which still stands on the site. (Thornham St James).

Lancashire Hotel (Town Centre, OLDHAM)

The Lancashire Hotel in the 1970s.

The Lancashire Hotel was situated at 78 Manchester Road on the corner of Bloom Street. A beerhouse had stood here since at least 1823 by various names. It seems that the pub became the Lancashire Hotel in 1883 and was known as the Lancashire Vaults thereafter. This was due to the previous owner calling the pub the New Vaults after buying and extending the pub around 1872. The Lancashire Hotel was a popular live music venue from the 60s to the late 70s as it still had its own concert room. In 1981 the Lancashire Hotel closed and remained derelict until Sainsburys bought it in 1987. The former Lancashire Hotel was demolished later that year.

Friendship Hotel (Mumps, OLDHAM)

The Friendship Hotel in 1970.

The Friendship Hotel was situated at 2 Mumps opposite what is now Nursery Goods Direct. It was built in 1795 as the Hat and Beaver. By looking at an 1851 map one can see that the Friendship had little competition at the time and the inn not having any stables nonetheless had its own brewhouse, yard and extensive gardens. In 1874 the pub was rebuilt becoming much larger in the process. The frontage of the ground floor changed in 1958 with some interesting additions - a revolving door, a canopy over the door, a fire escape and a new upstairs concert room. In 1969 the Friendship was served with a Compulsory Purchase Order to facilitate the building of a new bus layby (now gone with the Metrolink development) and was demolished in 1971.

The Pack Horse (Town Centre, OLDHAM)

The Pack Horse c.1960.

The Pack Horse or the Old Pack Horse as it was called at various times in its lifetime was situated at 3 Rochdale Road (previously Royton Street). It was built sometime before 1790 and had been in operation as a beerhouse since 1792. The first name on record for the beerhouse was the Farm Yard in 1804. The pub went through an identity crisis the next few years so I'll just list the names of the pub with dates for now: Unknown (1792-c.1803), Farm Yard (c.1803-1806), the Abercromby (1806-1811), Lord Abercromby (1811-1823), the Old Ship (1823-1828), Turf Tavern (1828-1836). In 1836 the pub became the Pack Horse. It closed in 1964 and demolished shortly after to make way for road improvenments and the building of Oldham College. The site of the former Pack Horse today is part of the grass verge between the college and Rochdale Road.

Robin Hood Inn (Clarksfield, OLDHAM)

The Robin Hood Inn c.1985.

The Robin Hood Inn was situated at 119 Lees Road. It opened around 1810 and for a period in the 1840s was called the Robin Hood and Little John. The pub was extended sometime around 1950. In 2000 after being sold the Robin Hood Inn was demolished. Today the site is occupied by the offices of a security company called Sherwood House (!).

Welcome Inn (Clarksfield, OLDHAM)

1892 map showing location of the Welcome Inn.

The Welcome Inn was located at 19-21 Nutter Street. Nutter Street no longer exists but its approximate location today would be the grass verge in front of the industrial units on jackson Street directly behind the Grouse Inn. The Welcome was opened in 1867 but closed in 1908 due to poor trade. The property became residential and was also briefly a workshop. The former Welcome Inn and the remainder of Nutter Street was demolished in the 1960s to give way for industrial ventures.

Shore Inn (Mumps, OLDHAM)

Glass plate showing Shore Inn c.1900.

The Shore Inn was situated at 5 Cross Street close to the junction with Huddersfield Road. It was first licenced in 1845 but by the 1890s the building was in a poor state of repair. Despite this JW Lees Brewery bought the inn just before 1900 but in 1905 under the new Compensation Act the Shore Inn closed. It briefly became a private residence and later became a boarding house ("doss house"). In 1966 the former Shore Inn was demolished along with its neighbours for road widening. The site of this former inn has been landscaped.

Woodman Inn (Hollinwood, OLDHAM)

The Woodman Inn in 2009.

The Woodman Inn was situated at 684 Manchester Road in Hollinwood. The pub dates back to at least 1770 when it's name was the Blue Anchor. Around 1835 it became the Lamb Inn but was changed to the Woodman Inn in 1842. The pub was extended in 1950. In 1978 the Woodman became the meeting place for the Failsworth Blues a Manchester City supporters club. This had much to do with the fact that the landord at the time (1977-1979) was Patrick Power who was the father of the then Manchester City left back Paul Power. The Woodman Inn closed in 2011 and at the time of writing the pub is boarded up (with all signage removed) and for sale

Mutual Inn (Town Centre, OLDHAM)

1882 map showing the Mutual Inn.

The Mutual Inn was situated on the corner of Boardman Street and Smethurst Street. It started life as the Hopwood Arms dating back to at least 1823. In the early 1830s it had changed its name to the Foresters Arms and when bricklayer Absalom Wrigley became landlord in 1836 he changed the name again to the Bricklayers Arms. It finally became the Mutual Inn in the 1850s (although it was named the Gardeners Arms briefly around 1860). By the 1870s the inn had managed to gain a reputation for being the resort of undesirables in the area and it fell into decline. By the 1920s the neighbouring properties were in decline also and it was decided to build new houses along Smethurst Street. The Mutual Inn closed on Christmas Eve 1930 and demolished the following year. The area became waste ground some of which was used as a car park. The site of the former Mutual Inn is now roughly where the car park for the Queen Elizabeth Hall is.

West Australian (Town Centre, OLDHAM)

1898 map showing location of the West Australian.

The West Australian was a beerhouse dating to before 1830 when it was little more than window opening out onto the street through which beer was passed. In the 1880s it was a well established beerhouse although it was in a poor state of repair. In 1894 it had been improved and had accomodation and an enclosed yard. It closed in 1906 and was demolished around 1935. The location of the former West Australian today would be the grass verge between Oldham Sixth Form College and West Street roundabout.

Windsor Hotel (Royton, OLDHAM)

The Windsor Hotel c.2000 before restoration.

The Windsor Hotel was situated at 328 Shaw Road in Royton and built in 1864. Over the years the pub was enlarged with various additions (in the early 70s it had what some Mancunians refer to as an "outdoor" - an off licence). The Windsor Hotel closed around 1999 and in 2001 was extended yet further to accomodate flats and what is now a deli. After three years restoration work the former Windsor Hotel was sold and became a hairdressers and tanning salon. This closed in 2011 and the premises is now occupied by a dance school.

Railway Inn (Lees, OLDHAM)

The former Railway Inn (on right) in 2012.

The Railway Inn was situated at 21 St John Street (now 107 St John Street) in Lees next to the long gone railway line. The building had been a beerhouse before the building of the "delph donkey" railway line. The railway was completed in 1856 and a station at Lees was built. It's around then the Railway Inn appears on records. The records indicate that the licence for the inn was revoked in 1869 and the former Railway Inn became a private dwelling.

Ram Inn (Lydgate, OLDHAM)

The former Ram Inn in 2009.

The Ram Inn was situated at 67 Stockport Road in Lydgate. It was built in 1778 and for a brief period around 1818 was known as the Fleece. The inn was isolated and did little trade and in the late 19th century the neighbouring cottages were derelict. The Ram Inn closed in 1931 and the premises were later split into two dwellings. Note: Some people may think the lamp above the entrance is original to the pub (it's not). It may be old but the original Garsides Brewery lamp was much larger and had white glass.

Antelope Inn (Springhead, OLDHAM)

Location of the Antelope Inn on a 1892 map.

The Antelope Inn was located at 11 Hartshead Street in Springhead. When it opened sometime before 1850 it's address was the Willows and by the turn of the century it was Milking Green. The Antelope Inn closed in December 1935 and was demolished in the late 50s. The site of the former inn is now a private dwelling.

New Inn (Springhead, OLDHAM)

The location of the New Inn on a 1892 map.

The New Inn was situated at 9 Heartshead Street in Springhead. The property had been a private dwelling but had opened as a beerhouse sometime in the 1850s. It was purchased by Wilsons Brewery in 1899 and remained open until 1913 (The Antelope Inn at the time was next door and trade was in decline). The former New In was demolished sometime in the late 1950s and the site is now a private dwelling. 

Grotton Hotel (Grotton, OLDHAM)

The Grotton Hotel in 2011.

The Grotton was situated on Oldham Road in the centre of Grotton. It opened in 1939 not long after the opening of the Grotton Lido and had been purposely built to accomodate the new influx of visitors to the area. The Lido didn't last long but the hotel remained poular with locals. The Grotton Hotel closed in 2011 and was put up for sale leaving Grotton without a pub. Given it's prime location a number of interested parties came forward from fast food outlets to a petrol station operator. In the end it was the Co-Op that purchased the premises and the store opened on 16th February 2012.

Unidentified Boozers (Town Centre, HYDE)

The Volunteer (?) on George Street or Market Street (?)  c.1970

I've tried to cover as many bygone pubs, inns, beerhouses and hotels in Hyde town centre but there's still some that go unaccounted for. Some of the following may be duplicate entries under different names but all of them share one thing in common - I know almost nothing about them. I've included dates for which I'm certain that they existed:

Black Horse (George Street) 1902-1908
Blazing Stump (Ridling Lane) 1908
Bridge Inn (Cheapside) 1911
Butchers Arms (Manchester Road) 1907
Dog and Partridge (George Street West) 1821-1906
Farmers Arms (Brook Street) 1920
Forresters Arms (Hoviley Brow) 1950-1951
Golden Fleece (Ridling Lane) 1907
Grapes (Market Street) 1906
Mechanics Arms (Clarendon Place) 1850-1921
Mitre Arms (Crook Street) 1898-1911
Newmarket Tavern (Hamnett Street) 1909
Oldhams Bar (Market Street) 1920
Pineapple Inn (Clarendon Place) 1834
Shakespeare Inn (Mottram Road) 1920
Temperance Hotel (George Street) 1857-1860
Volunteer Inn (Market Street) 1930
Wagon and Horses (Manchester Road) 1857-1861

Unidentified Boozers (Newton, HYDE)

Probable location of the long gone Bluebell Hotel in 2009.

As I've done in previous posts I'm listing inns/hotels/beerhouses for which I have no information. I have no doubt there will be at least a dozen beerhouses from around 1830 for which there is no information whatsoever. Here are some for the Newton area of Hyde with dates they were definitely around:

Bluebell Hotel (Muslin Street) 1911
Horse and Jockey (Shaw Hole) 1857
Shoulder of Mutton (Muslin Street) 1819-1857
Spring Wells (Muslin Street) 1920

Unidentified Boozers (Flowery Field, HYDE)

Was this the Gardeners Arms or it's neighbour (or neither)?

There a couple of inns/beershouses unaccounted for in the Flowery Field area of Hyde. I've included dates where possible when they were definitely in operation:

Gardeners Arms (Bennett Street) 1900-1911
Spring Gardens Tavern (Spring Gardens) 1861

Unidentifield Boozers (Hattersley, HYDE)

1886 map: Where was Smith's Beerhouse?

Hattersley was little more than a hamlet when beerhouses were at their most prevolent but there's at least a couple I have no information for. I've given dates where they have been mentioned or recorded to be in operation:

Broadbent's Beer Shop (Cock Brow) 1841-1850
Horse Shoe Inn (Hattersley) 1828-1832
Smith's Beerhouse (Bunkers Hill) 1891

Unidentified Boozers (Mottram, HYDE)

One of the farmhouses at Lower Roe Cross was a beerhouse.

A lot of beerhouses went unrecorded before 1830 and Mottram had at least two that were unlicenced (they were often called by the name of the owner and don't feature in directories). I'll list here any premises for Mottram I find where I have insufficient information as to their owners, locality or name, Dates given for the years I'm certain of their operation:

Chadwick's Beerhouse (Lower Roe Cross) 1836-1851
Golden Lion (Mottram) 1832
Stag Inn (Market Street) 1816-1821

Unidentified Boozers (Hollingworth, HYDE)

Was 105 Market Street the Friendship beerhouse?

Some unidentified beerhouses exist for Hollingworth. In the 1830s there were at least a dozen beerhouses. I've given dates at to when I'm certain they were in existance:

Craven Heifer (Hollingworth) 1832
Friendship (Market Street) 1832-1851
Star Inn (Market Street) 1910
Wood's Beerhouse (Market Street) 1832-1850

Unidentified Boozers (Broadbottom, HYDE)

Is one of these cottages the Who'd a Thowt It beerhouse?

Not many unidentified places in Broadbottom but I'll add to it as I go along. Dates given are dates it was certainly in operation:

Who'd a Thowt It (Broadbottom) 1879

Angel Inn (Mottram, HYDE)

Site of the former Angel Inn on a map from 1886.

The Angel Inn was possibly the oldest inn in Mottram. It was situated at Market Place where the old Manor House now stands. This central location made it the focal point for the village. Over the years it had been used as a meeting place for the local freemasons and missionaries, an auctioneers, a terminus for carriages and even a courthouse. The Angel Inn was demolished around 1855 and the Manor House built on the site.

Eagle and Oak (Gee Cross, HYDE)

The Eagle and Oak c.1895.

The Eagle and Oak was situated at the top of Treacle Hill it's address being 8 Mottram Old Road. It was built around 1820 but by the end of the century had become run down and was demolished before 1898. The site of the former Eagle and Oak is now a driveway to a private residence.