First visited : 19 April 2015
At some point the Robin Hood changed its name to The Theatre Tavern, reflecting its position next to the town's Hippodrome Theatre. The theatre actually closed in 2008 and was at one point threatened with demolition before being granted listed building status. A charitable trust has plans to reopen it in the near future. It was under Tameside MBC's management when I worked for them and many of my colleagues quietly regarded it as a white elephant. I remember one guy saying the only people who made it any money were "Chubby ( ultra-blue comic Roy Chubby Brown ) and Big Daddy" ( i.e. professional wrestling ). I don't know what that says about Ashton's cultural capital - not much I guess.
Outwardly this is Ashton's most distinctive pub with its magnificent green tiling and impressive frontage. What a contrast to the inside which looks like it's been gutted and is bare and tatty. Don't believe the promise of a lounge etched on the windows, it's just one large room with a mini-stage at the far end. The seats were threadbare and dirty which may be why the other half dozen customers were propping up the bar.
What makes it sadder are the momentos of the theatre dotted around the walls and autographed posters for the famous and not-so-famous lined up on the beams. You have Billy Connolly and Val Doonican rubbing against Susanne Day ( ? ), Johnny Rich (? ) and Paul Deane Junior ( apparently a Gene Pitney tribute act ). What's perhaps most interesting is a mounted display of signed publicity shots from the stars of Coronation Street including the long-deceased Bernard Youens.
I won't be calling again but should add that Simon enjoyed it because they were showing Mr Bean on the TV screen.
