By Trevor Baxter
ONE OF Saddleworth’s oldest hostelries is now the area’s ‘newest’ thanks to a refurbishment that definitely wasn’t a 60-Minute Makeover.
Regulars at the Navigation Inn on Wool Road have given the thumbs up to the renovation work now the doors of the Dobcross pub, first licensed in 1867, have re-opened.
“We thought it was just going to be a facelift but it turned out to be major refurb,” said landlady and tenant Sue Ellis who has run the the Enterprise Inns owned with husband Mark for 12 years.
“So, it was a lovely surprise when all the plans came through.
“A lot of customers said everything was fine as it was but we knew things needed changing. While it wasn’t the case of lagging behind other pubs, the place needed sprucing up.
“We only realised how much needed to be done when we stripped it down the night before work was due to start.
“Besides we always wanted more comfort for our customers. And once we decided to re-sign our lease, Enterprise decided to do the re-furbishment.”
Extensive work took place for nearly three weeks in November and even DIY SOS host Nick Knowles wouldn’t fail to be impressed with the results.
The changes are best seen first hand – but new padded seats of various shapes and design, a striking high table for diners, new floor coverings, extra lighting and a crafty makeover with reclaimed wood of one of the pubs substantial stone pillars are just some of the improvements.
“It has made a vast difference,” confirmed proud Sue. “Just coming in behind the bar to open up in a morning you think ‘wow.’
“And customers seem to love it. They like the changes but say we have still kept the pub character and that’s what we wanted.
“You are never going to please everybody but word is getting round how beautiful it is. And the food hasn’t changed which is what we rely on.”
“It’s good to see all our regulars back and that the money has been well spent,” added Sue.
“And for anyone who hasn’t been before come and give us a try. We think you will be impressed.”
You must be logged in to post a comment.