Manchester

Steve Coogan sends touching letter to recently reopened ‘people’s pub’ 

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Comedian and actor Steve Coogan has sent a touching letter to a pub in Greater Manchester that once served as his local. The 58-year-old performer, who originally hails from Middleton, wrote to the Roebuck pub in Alkrington after it reopened last month following a major £1m revamp and a name change back to its original.

As part of an aim to become embedded back into the local community, the pub reclaimed its original 1960s name after being renamed as the Thornberries pub for some time. Described by locals as a ‘people’s pub’, the refurbishment of the venue featured a new indoor wraparound bar, a stunning beer garden and a spacious private function room.

In his letter, Steve, who is most known for his portrayal of Alan Partridge, said The Roebuck was his local pub in the 1980s and gave it his blessing for its new lease of life. He studied at Cardinal Langley Roman Catholic High School in the borough before going to learn drama at Manchester Polytechnic.

In a personal message sent to the pub’s new owners, the Joseph Holt brewery, he wrote:

“Good luck to the Roebuck. One of my locals in the 80s. It used to be full of bleach blonde perms and deep tans…and that was just the fellas!

“Glad it’s going to be a local again for the local community. I’ll be sure to pop in for a pint soon. Best, Steve.”

Responding to the message, Mark Norbury, Pub Director at Joseph Holt, said: The Roebuck offers a warm invitation to everyone. And we have let Steve Coogan know that whenever he is in town he can be assured of a hearty local welcome and a drink on us.”

The pub’s revert back to its original name thanks to a competition run by Joseph Holt to decide what its namesake would be. Linda Murray, 63, won the competition and was invited to cut the ribbon on its opening night last month.

“I have lived in Alkrington since 1971 when I was 11 years old, so for most of my late teens and 20s I did most of my socialising in The Roebuck,” Linda explained. “It was a great pub, almost everyone from Alkrington under 35 used to drink in the Roebuck.

“Alkrington was known as the place where the Roebuck was and people from surrounding areas used to come and enjoy a great night out.”

The Roebuck is on 179A Kirkway, Middleton, M24 1LW.

Source: Steve Coogan sends touching letter to recently reopened ‘people’s pub’ in Greater Manchester

Joy Division Singer Ian Curtis Remembered On The 40th Anniversary Of His Death

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Jon Savage, the author of ‘This Searing Light, The Sun and Everything Else,’ discusses the post-punk singer, who committed suicide on May 18, 1980 at age 23.

A few months into 1980, the British post-punk group Joy Division were ready to take the next steps in their promising career. Led by their compelling lead singer Ian Curtis, the emerging quartet from Manchester were gaining momentum with an acclaimed debut album in Unknown Pleasures; their live shows were must-see draws; and they had gotten exposure on television and favorable reviews in the music press. Now Joy Division were set to embark on their first-ever U.S. tour and release a new record, Closer, that saw them expanding on their sonic palette. But that all came to a tragic halt when Curtis – who struggled with personal and health issues – committed suicide at the age of 23 on May 18, 1980.

“A poetic, sensitive, tortured soul, the Ian Curtis of the myth—he was definitely that,” former Joy Division bassist Peter Hook remembered Curtis

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