‘Now… onto the next challenge’
The Swan Inn pub has been taken over by new ownership as it starts a new chapter in its vast history(Image: STEVE ALLEN)
A beautiful country pub in the heart of an Oldham village has been taken over by new owners – setting the scene for a new chapter in the venue’s vast history.
The Swan Inn, in Dobcross, dates back to 1765 and is in a Grade II-listed venue. It has been described in one online review as a ‘beautiful old-fashioned pub with a lovely atmosphere and very friendly staff’.
Over many years, the stone-exterior pub’s upstairs room has taken on many identities and even served a magistrates court in the 18th century. In 2013, it was also transformed into a 75-seat playhouse theatre. It now serves as a function room for events and parties.
For five years, the Saddleworth pub had been led by landlady Sharon Musgrove, who took the venue on after its original owners were forced to close the pub in 2020 following the ‘profound impact’ of the pandemic.
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The venue has served as a pub for 260 years now(Image: Adam Vaughan)
Last week, Sharon announced she was ready to ‘pass the baton’ on to new owners, and said she had been ‘proud to have had such a fantastic team’, and the ‘support has been amazing’ by locals.
The pub is now in the hands of the Welby family, including John Welby, his wife Amanda and son Arron. The family have previously been behind The Railway & Linnet pub, on Grimshaw Lane in Middleton, which closed its doors in 2022.
Posting on social media, John wrote of recently taking on the village pub: “New venture, the Swan Inn, Dobcross. To all my friends and my locals, we would like your support.
The pub is situated within the picturesque village of Dobcross, located just a 15 minute drive from Manchester(Image: STEVE ALLEN)
“As people who know us will know, we are community people and we will put all of our love and support into it, 100 per cent. Well, we will look forward to seeing new and local support and tell your friends to join us at Dobcross’ The Swan.”
Arron also took to social media to share how the initial response to the pub’s change-in-hands had gone and said they will also be launching a new food menu next week.
“First night done — and what a joy to see you all,” Arron wrote earlier this week. “Huge thanks to everyone who came out to support us on day one — lovely guests and amazing people of the village.
The new owners said they ‘will put all of our love and support’ into the pub(Image: Adam Vaughan)
“Now… onto the next challenge: getting the kitchen up and running in time to serve food by 1st September.”
Sharing their reactions to the family taking over the pub, one local resident wrote: “Wishing you all the best in your new venture, looking forward to coming up to see you soon.” Another posted: “Good Luck, lovely little place.”
The Swan Inn is on 1 The Square, Dobcross, Oldham, OL3 5AA.
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