The family who are about to steer the reigns of a well-loved pub in Oldham have reassured residents 'not to worry' about the change of hands as they have been loyal customers themselves for decades.

A team of landlords who have run the Turks Head pub on Castleton Road for the past 40 years made a shock announcement earlier this month that they would be stepping down.

The popular alehouse and restaurant in Royton, which serves up classic pub food and has accumulated a 4.6-star rating on Google, will see landlords, Neil, Marjorie, Steven and Carolyn, depart for good as of Sunday, March 24.

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The team said the "time is right" for them to leave and that they do so with "many very happy memories".

Loyal customers have since taken to social media with their concerns that the pub would be closing for good - or taking with it its top-quality food and chefs. 

However, new landlady Chloe Rebecca has squashed any concerns in an update to residents.

She hinted that while there may be some exciting new additions to the place, the menu and its chefs that "everyone loves" are "here to stay".

While the tenants will be leaving on Sunday evening, Chloe said her team will reopen the pub again the following day (Monday, March 25) at 5pm.

Chloe said: " The menu everyone loves, the original staff (chefs) and overall style of the pub will remain the same.

"Don't worry, it's been in our family for more than 40 years, too!

"After finding out the news that the current owners were leaving, my family and I took to the drawing board to see if we could continue the Turks Head journey together.

"It's happening, just in time for Easter weekend!

"There will be the same great homecooked food and a wonderful atmosphere as I get to meet all of our new customers and share my excitement with all the existing."

She continued: "Don't panic, there's no huge changes, but plenty to look forward to.

"The Turks has been a huge part of our family since 1972, so it's in our best interest to keep that community feel and maintain a great restaurant."

The team urged customers to pop in over the bank holiday weekend, adding: "We'd love to see you again... and again and again!"

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