A popular pub in Oldham town centre which announced it was due to close before the end of the year has shared its closing date.

Earlier this week, it was confirmed that the Royal Oak pub on Union Street would stop serving pints in the coming weeks after the building was sold.

Landlord David Sweeney initially said the iconic pub was likely to close in December, however it has now been announced that the pub will shut its doors for the last time on Friday, November 24.

A post shared on the pub's Facebook page read: "It is with a heavy heart that we have to announce that The Royal Oak will close its doors on the 24th November. This is out of our control as the owners have decided to sell the building to someone who approached them. This is without offering it up for sale to anyone else.

"We do not know what the plans are for the building.

"The whole pub is grade II listed. We are concerned for the future of the building and therefore this page will become a page to save the heritage of this building."

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The pub had been owned by Inglenook Inns, however the company confirmed to The Oldham Times on Tuesday (November 14) it had sold the Royal Oak.

Hannah Wood, who redecorated the pub through her business Primer Donnas during lockdown and handles the pub's communications, has said everything will be done to protect the interior of the pub.

She said the building received a Grade II listing in 2018, which covers both the exterior and interior of the structure, including the bricks, tiles and wooden staircase.

The pub is known for its frequent use as a meeting place for many groups in the borough, including the Oldham branch of the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes, the Royal British Legion's Oldham branch and 11 other groups and organisations.

Mr Sweeney said he did not know where the groups would hold their meetings in the future, as the Royal Oak had become a popular spot for meetings due to its large room upstairs.

The landlord said it was "a real shame" the pub was closing its doors.