Time called on former boozer

ALL change . . . the former Owd Kitts pub, Glodwick Road, is now a nursery

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AN HISTORIC Oldham pub which served up pints for 150 years has been turned into a nursery.

Rozina Mahmood has spent up to £10,000 on the project to open Alexander Pre-School at the former Owd Kitts boozer in Glodwick.

The former North Manchester High School for Girls pupil, who had 14 years' experience in the profession, has overcome the objections of her father who did not want her to work or continue her education.

Launch

But she said that he was now fully supportive and he helped her to launch the nursery at a recent open day along with her grandfather, Abdul Razzaq, former mayor of Oldham Fida Hussain and Councillor Zahid Chauhan.

Rozina attended North Manchester High School for Girls but explained: "After that my father didn't want me to go to college, he didn't like the idea in case I met someone."

She had an arranged marriage when she was 19 but was determined to also follow her dream.

She added: "I have always worked ­- the only time I haven't worked was when I was on maternity leave.

"I got married in Pakistan and I had to get a job to support my husband so I could bring him to this country.

Go-ahead

"I got married when I was 19, then bought my own house and had my first child when I was 20."

Rozina, who has two children, aged 10 and five, also did an NVQ level 2 qualification and then a foundation degree in childhood studies.

She is now studying for a BA Hons in professional development in early years at Bolton University. She is is the first in her family to go to university. Rozina is now waiting for the pre-school to get the final go-ahead from the education watchdog Ofsted but is already on the waiting list.

"My father is very proud now and has supported me with everything," added Rozina,

"He didn't like the idea of me going to college and working.

"Even when I started my degree he said 'you have already got a job, you don't need a degree'.

"But you need the qualifications and I told him 'one day you will be proud of me'."

Excited

Originally three cottages, the Park Inn beerhouse was opened in Glodwick Road in 1861 by Henry Hunt Patterson.

Oldham Brewery took control in 1895 and a wine licence was granted three years later, then a full licence in 1961.

William Sloan became licensee when the Oldham Brewery was taken over by Boddingtons in 1982, changing the name to Owd Kitts. The pub closed in 2011.

Rozina said: "It has been a lot of hard work opening the pre-school and for the last six-weeks it has been non-stop.

"I am very excited and nervous at the same time."

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