Music pub saved from demolition

A pub that became the centre of the community thanks to its outstanding music events has been saved from demolition.

The Witchwood in Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire, came under threat when Tameside Council served licensee Pauline Town with a compulsory purchase order last year.

In April last year the council agreed to allow Ask Property Developers to knock down all the existing buildings, including the pub, to build offices and bring new jobs to the area. But the plans immediately sparked a revolt from staff at the Witchwood and a petition was started that eventually secured 15,000 signatures from visitors all over the world.

Fundraising gigs were put on and successful bands like the Inspiral Carpets carried the message on their own websites. After months of hard work the staff were told this week that the building would be saved.

"I've been walking around with a massive grin on my face since we had the news," said Ms Town. "It has been a difficult year but we now have an exclusion order form the council which means the place is safe for future generations.

"It's great news and means we can carry on with what we've been doing here. We're not just putting on concerts, we're doing a lot of work with young people as well so it's fantastic the council has recognised our value to the community."

The office development has been redesigned to exclude the site of the pub, which was named Music Pub of the Year in the 2001 Publican Awards. This means it can stay, as long as physical improvements are made to the outside of the building to bring it in keeping with the redevelopment scheme.

Councillor Kieran Quinn, executive member for economic services at Tameside Council, said: "To many people Ashton means the Witchwood. Thousands know and love it. That has a positive effect on our local economy and one I am pleased to say will continue for many more years to come within our new business quarter."

Ms Town added: "We would like to thank everyone who has been part of showing what The Witchwood has to offer, customers, bands, our team and the people who have helped and advised us at Tameside Council as well."