A family-friendly pub in Failsworth has reopened with new owners – and support from some special guests – after closing six months ago.
The Windmill on Lord Lane has been taken over by Jamie Nokes, who had previously spent five years managing another Failsworth pub, The Anglers.
The grand opening took place on Sunday, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by night-time economy adviser Sacha Lord and Manchester council leader Bev Craig, who is currently campaigning to become the next Greater Manchester mayor.
Lord, who first met Mr Nokes when he DJ’d at Warehouse Project, spoke at the opening, offering his congratulations to the new landlord and introducing Cllr Craig.
The mayoral hopeful described Mr Nokes’ work to reopen The Windmill as “brilliant” and used the opportunity to talk about what she would do for the hospitality industry if elected.
She said: “If I do become mayor, and you’ve heard a bit about what Andy Burnham says, he wants to make it easier for hospitality businesses.
“I want to make sure, in Greater Manchester, that we’re supporting our pubs, supporting local hospitality and we’re helping people so that you don’t have to fight quite so much to get where you are.”
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Mr Nokes also acknowledged the difficulties facing the pub industry.
He explained that his previous experience running a free house, or independent pub, was especially difficult, but this time around he has the backing of a brewery.
Mr Nokes said: “This one is with Star Pubs by Heineken, so we’re getting a lot of support from them. Then Sasha did a good speech on hopefully doing things with Andy Burnham once he goes into power [as Prime Minister] – reducing our rates and whatnot. So that’s something to look forward to.”
Regardless of what the future may hold for the industry, The Windmill is already off to a flying start.
The launch event was such a success that the pub was “hammered” from when the doors opened at 2pm until 10pm.
The 31-year-old said that the pub has been given a bit of a “spruce up” before opening, with a fresh lick of paint to brighten up the place.
He is hoping that the pub will be a “family-orientated” venue that also welcomes live performers and singers.
The Windmill is open from 11am to 11.30pm on Monday-Thursday, 11am to 12.30am on Friday-Saturday and until 12am on Sundays.
The kitchen is currently closed, but there are plans to resume serving food in the coming weeks.
More information can be found on the pub’s social media pages and website.
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