Oldham pub makes shock announcement as landlady leaves

The Angel Inn on Nicholson Street has high ratings for its food and service, both from its loyal customers and new visitors, and regularly hosts live bands, karaoke nights, darts and pool leagues under the motto that "everyone is welcome".

Recent reviews praise the pub for its "amazing food" with many writing how much they love the place, including one happy customer who crowned it "probably the best in Lees and Uppermill/Greenfield".

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Others said it is a "top-class pub" where "food is totally brilliant every day".

Burgers and fish and chips are popular at The Angel Inn (Image: The Angel Inn)

The pub's friendly service, reasonable prices, "spotless" cleanliness and "fabulous" food, from its ham sandwiches and scones to soup, fish and chips and cheese and onion pie, which one reviewer rated five out of five across the board, are among other highlights left by reviewers of the pub.

Another review read: "Typical local pub, not many left! 

"Excellent beer and service."

However, landlady Kirsty Clarke, who started working at The Angel Inn behind the bar at 19 years old, revealed the kitchen is closing tomorrow (February 15) as the family prepare to leave the pub life behind.

Kirsty's partner, Becky Pritchard, explained: "We are leaving within the next few weeks. We are just winding things down slowly.

"The kitchen will close tomorrow and the pub will be closing within the next few weeks."

Becky said the pair and Kirsty's two children, Dexter, 10, and baby boy, James, live above the pub but as one child has additional needs, she said they made the decision to focus on family life and will be leaving for good on Sunday, February 25.

The landlady started her journey at The Angel Inn when she was just 19 years old (Image: Google Maps)

She added: "We feel that it isn't the right environment to raise children.

"We want a life we can spend with them.

"We struggle with weekends and holidays and we are looking at the bigger picture.

"We have made a wonderful life here we have made a family with the locals and we have made friends for life.

"We will miss the pub and the life we have made, the staff the customers, friends family but it's time for a new chapter."

Kirsty, who is 38 years old, started working at the pub as a teenager and took over the business side when the-then landlady sold the business to her mum in 2009.

The mother of two then took over with her ex-wife from 2017 onwards.

For now, it's unclear if and when the brewery will have new landlords take the helm as Becky said the premises needs some work.

She continued: "It's very mixed emotions.

"The children love it here, we just feel it's time for a change.

"We have a one-year-old that we brought home here and he has made a family for himself in the regulars and neighbours.

Customers say the pub is top class and one of the best (Image: The Angel Inn)

"He is very much loved by everyone that comes in, they come in just to see him.

"We are sad for him that he won't remember any of his time here and how special he was to everyone.

"But we are hopeful that these people will stay in his life and we have many pictures and memories to show him."

The family said they will be moving into Becky's parents' restaurant, The Roebuck Inn, in Strinesdale to help out there.

In a post on social media, the pair issued their thanks to customers "for the endless support" and said it was a "shame this chapter is ending".

The Angel Inn also said it will be hosting a leaving party for Kirsty and the family all weekend long, from this Saturday (February 17) to Sunday (February 18).

If you have a story, I cover all things Oldham from food reviews and local business news to music and events, pubs, education, crime, property, health, community concerns and much more. Please email me at Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk or send me a message on Twitter @Livbridge with your news.