THE landlady of a Saddleworth village pub has responded to criticism on social media of its food menu and prices.
The Swan Inn in Dobcross regularly shares photographs on its Facebook page and Instagram account of its weekly specials board for customers.
On recent posts, a number of people have taken to the comments section to question the affordability of the items on offer at the historic hostelry in the Square.
One person wrote: “Dobcross is a lovely little village. Not all of your customers can afford these prices. Sure [it is] because the cost of food has rocketed, but the prices put a lot of your customers off dining in your lovely premises. Good pub food sells itself.”
Another person accused the pub of “robbing people” and another said it was “a bit expensive for my taste”.
The latest specials board posted on March 1 listed a beer battered chorizo with chipotle mayo for £8; Bang Bang Chicken Wings for £9; Brisket Chilli Beef Burger with Monterey Jack Cheese, Jalapenos, sour cream, fries and coleslaw for £15.50; Aki’s Lamb Bhuna, braised rice, naan and raita for £17; and black forest cheesecake with vanilla ice cream for £8.50.
But hitting back, landlady Sharon Musgrove said the pub feels it offers “a very good choice at a competitive price given the current economic climate” and that “most establishments are currently merely surviving” due to rising costs.
“Recently it seems to be the case that every time our specials board is posted online, we receive a barrage of comments about our menu and pricing,” Sharon wrote on the pub’s Facebook page.
“I would therefore like to respond to this on behalf of my own business and indeed all other hospitality establishments.
“Here at The Swan, we pride ourselves in our menu of home-cooked food using the best ingredients we can. We also like to produce a weekly specials board as an alternative to our main menu and indeed the very reasonably priced lunch and early evening menu. We like to feel that we offer a very good choice at a competitive price given the current economic climate.”
Sharon, who took over the pub during Covid and pulled her first pint in April 2021, continued: “The hospitality industry as a whole is currently in incredibly difficult times financially and most establishments are trying their very hardest to keep their businesses going whilst being mindful of pricing.
“It is no coincidence that pubs, bars and restaurants across the UK are closing their doors citing their business is no longer economically viable. A rise in food costs, staff wages, rent and utility bills plus 20 per cent VAT mean that most establishments are currently merely surviving and not making any real profit.
“Having said all of this, I am extremely proud of The Swan and my Swan staff family and I work incredibly hard to keep this iconic Saddleworth pub going. Please be mindful that the UK will be a very boring place if many more hospitality venues close their doors for good.”
Well said Sharon. You are amazing keeping the doors of this beautiful historical venue open to all.
I know how many hours Sharon works and also to keep coast down she works behind the bar, delivers drinks to tables and runs food as well as if needed helps in the kitchen.
Now if that isn’t helping keep coast down I don’t know what is.
She does her own accounts and book keeping to.
They have invented in nice seating outside and other maintenance.
Their chef is a well established amazing chef.
I know they have a verity of other prices on their set menu and have competitive prices to other hospitality pubs in the area.
Sharon has a lot of students go in as well as elderly regular’s.
Gives a good optional pricing packages for weddings, funerals and other private party’s.
Good luck and keep going to keep this amazing pub open to all.
Long time since we used this village pub but having seen the choice and prices we intend to start calling in again.
Nothing wrong there and top class grub . Nice pub with no bell ???? ends in .
Oh… purlease!!!! Sharon wrote this “negative” comment just to get a positive response, surprise she was sober enough to come up with the plan!
There is a bus stop coming up, feel free to get off
It’s a very nice warm welcoming pub & landlady I love the food & the choice & don’t see the prices expensive they seem reasonable I definitely be calling again & would highly recommend ????????
The food and the pub is great, and very reasonable, well worth a visit
Odd that comments wont post today ?
And the they do.
There’s no such thing as bad publicity and I wish them every success with their business.
Sharon works her socks off. The food is spot on you get what you pay for!
The staff are excellent along with the atmosphere of the pub. Keep going Sharon your doing a cracking job.
Well said Sharon, don’t mind paying for decent food, love the pub and it’s great that you can keep on going ????
Not been there for a while as I found previous owners rude !
On recommendation went there a couple of weeks back with friends . It was early door’s Saturday lunchtime , couldn’t fault the quality and choice of the food on offer . Thought the price was more than reasonable and reflected what we all chose .
No complaints and we’ll be back
Forgot to mention that the staff of course were polite , efficient and pleasant ! Exactly what you’d expect from a village pub
The drinks are also expensive here, but Sharon is happy to serve a small white wine in a large glass with lots of ice. My wife was none the wiser. Thanks Sharon xx
Ye,s the prices are high but they are everywhere. I know when I dine there I will enjoy a beautifully cooked meal and experience excellent service. However, The Swan offers a social hub which I enjoy each Thursday for the quiz and monthly for the book club. I feel welcomed when I walk in and would happily go for a drink alone if I decided to because someone would chat with me. I know the pub offers other social events so it really is an important hub for the community.
Thank you , Sharon and all your staff.
Prices sound average for what they are offering. We have eaten here and we’re happy with the price quality and service.
I have been in 3 times recently for food and have enjoyed the quality and choice. I think the prices are on par with other establishments in Saddleworth.
Me and my wife call into the swan when we call at st Thomas’s church at friermere as my mum was from dobcross and her granddad lived across the road at well lane, all my mum’s relatives are from dobcross and Delph,one of them even owned THE SWAN PUB ( one of the lawtons) ,we have found the service excellent and welcoming the food is great and it’s nice to know someone is keeping a peace of history alive and we look forward to having a meal in there next time we visit dobcross,keep up the good work
These are pretty typical prices for nearly all of Saddleworth. If you can’t afford to eat somewhere, go to the chippy. Eating out is also an affordable luxury you indulge in maybe once or twice a month, not daily. You’d be up in arms if The Old Bell, or the Black Swan in Delph suddenly turned into a Spoons.
Passed this pub a few times and thought I must pop in. I will definitely be paying it a visit now after reading these comments. As for the price of the food I visit many pubs across the uk with my job and weekend stays and these are on par with most of them. Good luck and see you soon
Truly feel for our local pubs right now, and we should be doing our best to safeguard them. However, it’s a disgrace that Sharon didn’t make reference to how she forced individuals from her staff onto contracts on rates that were below the lowest pay permitted by law in her tragic sob story.