The historic Greater Manchester pub that could finally be demolished as new plans unveiled

A 140-year-old Oldham pub that closed in 2018 could be demolished and replaced with a convenience store. Owd Tatts Pub in Butler Green, Chadderton, has been proposed as the new site for ‘a small, local food store’ in plans submitted to Oldham Council this week. 

The development would see the “eyesore” pub building demolished after it has stood derelict for over four years. 

Oldham West and Royton MP Jim McMahon said: “Pubs are vital for bringing the community together and they should be protected, however with the Owd Tatts site we have seen it grow into an increasing state of disrepair and ruin, with many in the local area describing its current state as an eyesore. Therefore, it is good that a local company will take on the site and renew it, bringing the site back into a good standard for the local area.”

Owd Tatts first opened as a pub in the 1890s. But since Owd Tatts closed down in mid-2018 following a financial struggle, the site has deteriorated and the surrounding area is considered a fly-tipping ‘hotspot’ by the local council.

Local councillor Holly Harrison said in a statement on Facebook: “I’ve no doubt that many residents will welcome this proposal, and from what is available at the present time I welcome this proposal along with my ward colleagues. The car park has been a fly tipping hot spot for many years and the landowner has done what they reasonably could to try and maintain the site. With the store facing the car park hopefully this will deter such fly tipping in the future. This application is still in the early stages but there is no doubt that this would greatly enhance the site.”

The new shop plans to sell a range of groceries, ready meals, sandwiches and snacks, beers, wines and spirits and a range of fresh fruit and vegetables.  With a sale area below 280 square metres, the shop would be exempt from Sunday trading restrictions and would open 7am-11pm every day of the week. The store owners expect to employ around 15 staff members from the local area.

Martins Bakery, a business next to the site has also submitted an application to change its entrance so that it faces the new shop. The two businesses will share the car park, which will be reduced from 30 to 20 spaces through the new build. The car park will receive one disabled space and four new cycle spaces – both up from zero.  

One member of the public has raised an objection about limited parking.  They said: “It is already hard enough to park if you live in the current flats unless there is going to be dedicated car parking for residents. This car park is used by One Stop, Post Office, Sun Trap, Barbers, Hairdressers customers, and staff and also Care Home visitors and staff as well as Martins customers and staff. This will mean losing some spaces on an already full car park.”