The historic family-run pub in Greater Manchester loved by Kelvin Fletcher that's just been given top award

A historic family-run pub in Oldham regularly frequented by Kelvin Fletcher has been named the community pub of the year.

The Greyhound Inn, based in Royton, was given the honour at JW Lees' Pub of the Year Awards 2024 last week. The pub, off Holden Fold Lane, has been run by Patrick and Tracey Chetram for more than four years now.

The couple took over the premises just weeks before the pandemic in 2020 and transformed it for the first time in decades in 2022 to give it a full revamp featuring a new bar area and seating. Alongside its win, the pub was also nominated in the Regional Pub of the Year category.

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Dating as far back as 1837, the venue was originally situated near a quarry and was housed alongside two stables and cottages. The premises were bought and taken over by JW Lees in the late 1920s.

Emmerdale actor Kelvin Fletcher, who played Danny in the soap from 1996 to 2016 and also won Strictly Come Dancing in 2019, previously named the pub as one of his favourite places to visit in Oldham. The actor, who has his own farm near Macclesfield in Cheshire, has been pictured visiting the pub on numerous occasions with his dad Warren.

Described by CAMRA as modern yet maintaining its rural feel, the 'warm and friendly' pub is located in relatively close proximity to Clayton Playing Fields and Oldham Athletic AFC’s Boundary Park stadium. The pub has also held local cake bakes, events to coincide with holidays like St Patrick’s Day, and charity appeals.

Posting about the recent award win, Patrick and Tracey wrote on social media: “We only went and WON Community Pub of the Year. We would like to thank all the Greyhound Team for all your hard work in helping to make it a great pub and all our customers for your loyal and continued support.”

Congratulating the pub, Royton’s StageRight Theatre Company posted: “Only right that the best won. You have both worked hard to achieve this amazing reward. Thank you for making it a lovely pub were we can all have a nice drink and chat in a lovely warm and friendly atmosphere.”

One regular customer posted: "Congratulations Patrick and Tracey, and all the staff, amazing achievement and thoroughly deserved." Another said: "Outstanding, well done. Fantastic pub and of course awesome landlady. Celebrate & enjoy. You truly deserve this accolade."

Fellow Oldham pub, based in Chadderton, the Horton Arms added: "Congratulations from all of us." Another said: “Well done, congratulations it is such a beautiful pub.”

The Greyhouse Inn is on 1 Elly Clough, Holden Fold Lane, Royton, Oldham, OL2 5ES.