JW Lees revamps troubled pub

J W Lees,the Manchester brewer, has reopened the Greengate on the Limeside Estate, Middleton, Greater Manchester after working with the police to rid the pub of violence.

The site had previously become a trouble spot with drug-dealing and violent incidents and the brewer renovated the pub after working closely with the police and the local community groups.

JW Lees spent in excess of £100,000 on CCTV, changing the layout, creating a new entrance, erecting a wrought iron perimeter fence and imposing a strict over 21s policy.

Mark Welch, JW Lees director of pub operations, said: "The Greengate is a community pub - the only one on the estate.

"It was tempting to shut the pub and walk away from the problem but we felt we owed it to the local residents to face the issues head-on and restore the Greengate to its former glory."

PC Louise Sowinski said: "The Greengate was a real problem. It was receiving many more call-outs then any other pub in the area and was a hive of criminal activity.

"I raised my concerns with the brewery and they responded really positively."

The newly restored Greengate has deterred the criminal element with its improved security has also proved a big success for the licensee and the brewery as initial figures show that sales have increased significantly.