Britain's oldest pub chain will celebrate a milestone anniversary next year, but could it make a romantic return to Oldham?

Yates's is set to celebrate 140 years since opening, but despite being founded in the town, residents must travel outside the borough if they want to taste some Oldham heritage.

Formerly Yates's Wine Lodge, its original bar disappeared from High Street in the mid-1980s and has since been replaced by a McDonald's - which has a blue plaque commemorating its history on the building.

The Oldham Times: Inside Yates's Wine Lodge, date not confirmedInside Yates's Wine Lodge, date not confirmed (Image: Yesteryear Oldham now & then)

In 1884, brothers Peter and Simon Yates began building their empire by opening their first bar in Oldham - by 2005 there were as many as 170 across the UK.

Before the Preston brothers opened their first lodge, it is believed that Peter visited Spain to learn about wine, while Simon went to the US to learn about business methods.

The pair also created Yates's Original Australian white wine liqueur, which many may know as 'blobs' - which has recently been discontinued.

The Oldham Times: The original Yates's Wine Lodge, on High Street - roughly dated 1960sThe original Yates's Wine Lodge, on High Street - roughly dated 1960s (Image: Yesteryear Oldham now & then)

The idea behind the wine lodge came from Peter, who died at the age of 90 in 1944, who believed that working class people should be able to enjoy wine in moderation and at low prices.

In the first 20 years there were nearly 20 lodges around Lancashire, and at one point there were three Yates's Wine Lodges in Oldham.The Oldham Times: The orignal Yates's Wine Lodge, on High Street - date not confirmedThe orignal Yates's Wine Lodge, on High Street - date not confirmed (Image: Yesteryear Oldham then & now)

In 2005, the brand dropped the words 'Wine Lodge' from its name in what was believed to be a bid to appeal to the 'younger generation'.

Now, according to Great British Pubs, a website created by Stonegate - the company that own Yates's, there are as few as 23 remaining - the nearest being in neighbouring Rochdale.

While the chain is yet to announce how it will celebrate its anniversary, The Oldham Times asked it whether there are any plans to reopen a Yates’s in Oldham, and what its Oldham heritage means, but the company declined to comment.

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