Historic Saddleworth pub becomes family concern
THE historic Diggle Hotel pub in Saddleworth has been taken over by new owners who intend to run it as a family business.
Husband and wife Stephen and Lynn Shaw along with Lynn’s brother, local chef James Mellor, have acquired the business following funding support from RBS.
Lynn and Stephen’s son Matthew will also work in the business as a kitchen assistant and cellar manager whilst his girlfriend Becca Avery will work in the pub as the bar manageress.
James’ partner Rhia Page will be employed as The Diggle Hotel’s wine adviser.
Dating back to the early 16th century and the reign of King Henry VIII The Diggle Hotel is a historic country pub set in beautiful countryside.
It has four bedrooms available for bed and breakfast as well as a comfortable bar and dining area. Outside the pub has a large grass lawn beer garden and a children’s play centre in addition to a wealth of parking space.
Lynn Shaw said: “We are really pleased that we have been able to acquire this historic venue and are really looking forward to settling in and meeting our new customers.
“Stephen and I have both worked in the licensing industry and also successfully ran a community pub for over eleven years so we are well experienced in the business. My brother James is also a chef at a popular Manchester restaurant and will be working here full time along with local chef Jamie Brown, to develop the food side and introduce new menus.
“The Diggle Hotel is very popular in the area and we hope to continue to build on this and attract more customers through the doors. Whilst we don’t have any plans for major renovations we will be redecorating and refreshing the building. In time we also hope to modernise the bedrooms and make other minor improvements as we go along.
Steve Cooper, relationship manager at RBS, administered the undisclosed funding deal. He said: “Lynn, Stephen and James are well experienced in the industry and I am pleased we have been able to support them with this venture. The Diggle Hotel is an excellent venue and the team will no doubt make it a great success.”
