Dynamic pub couple take on popular golf club

A innovative pub couple who turned a tiny Oldham pub into a multi-award winning hostelry have taken over hospitality at the distinguished Crompton and Royton Golf Club.

Chris Riley has a long history with the Golf Club as his stepfather David Melling was the club’s golf professional for 38 years from 1972 - 2010.

And Chris himself was a member for 20 years from being a junior joining in 1984 and junior captain in 1992.

His mother, Linda, was the club’s social secretary and lady captain.

Chris’s wife Michelle runs the Cob and Coal at Tommyfield market and provides creative quality home-cooked food at their three-time CAMRA pub of the year award-winning Fox and Pine in Greaves Street, Oldham.

Delighted Chris said: "We can’t wait to get in and hopefully give golf members a bar and restaurant they’re proud of.

"We’re going to introduce real ale back into the club and will install more cask ale pumps using quality local brewers.

“And we plan to introduce a  line of non-alcoholic beverages to support members and extend their choice of drinks.

“Michelle’s home-cooked food will be high on the menu," he declared.

“Just walking around the club today getting introduced to staff and members one member said he can’t wait to try one of Michelle’s homemade rag puddings which go down a treat in the Fox and Pine.

“It’s going to be an exiting time for our little family-run business and hopefully the current staff will enjoy working with us.”

Chris added: "We’re going to open up the club again for Sunday lunches where non members can book a table as well as putting on cabaret evenings during the winter.

"It is very early doors yet so let us get used to the surroundings and then watch this space.

“The club has a long brilliant history opening in 1908.

"We just hope we can give it a great future.”

Announcing the appointment on behalf of the golf club board, Peter Bostock, house chairman, said: “The Oldham Beer Company, run by Chris and Michelle, have been in the hospitality industry for many years, most notably running establishments like the Regal Moon, Horton Arms and the Tandlehill Tavern.

“In recent years they own and manage the multi award-winning Fox and Pine and the Cob and Coal in Oldham town centre.

"Chris and Michelle are excited to be joining the golf club and are looking forward to meeting you all soon.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has helped keep our bar and catering facilities open since April.”

---

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.