Landlord spills the secrets of running award-winning Oldham pub and reveals 'unexpected' pie recipe

"Even when I was young I wanted to be a pub landlord," Fox and Pine landlord Chris Riley told the Oldham Council podcast The Oldham Cast.

Landlord Chris took time out from his busy schedule running the popular Fox and Pine pub, a former terraced house on Greaves Street, to share the remarkable story behind its success and the career path he was always destined to take. 

Chris and his wife Michelle have seen the Fox and Pine pick up a stream of national and local accolades since launching during the pandemic in 2020, including recently the Greater Manchester Area Pub of the Year. 

Chris, who got his first pub licence when he was 21, said: "Even when I was young I wanted to be a pub landlord. It must have been in my blood because my great grandfather was a landlord in Oldham and had a couple of pubs during the war. 

"When I finished university I was supposed to be going around the world with my mate and I ended up running pubs. 
"I had my first license when I was 21." 

Also on Oldham Council's podcast, The Oldham Cast, Chris revealed his ale of choice if he could only choose one, and he lifted the lid on Michelle's ever-popular homemade pies. 

"Somebody was asking 'what do you put in these pies? It's absolutely beautiful," he recalled proudly. 

This is the latest in the series of The Oldham Cast podcasts to shine a light on the remarkable people who make the borough what it is.   

In another powerful episode filled with heart and ambition, entrepreneur and Oldham Athletic owner Frank Rothwell (pictured above) told of his incredible journey building a successful business from the ground up, buying Oldham Athletic and rowing the Atlantic Ocean twice. 

The Oldham Cast also welcomed David Williams, a social worker by day and fitness instructor by night, whose role helping others never ends. 

And in the first episode Angela Easton, who retired after 33 years at Hathershaw College, spoke openly about her time in the classroom and the small things that make a big difference to young people. 

Watch all episodes now at Oldham Council - YouTube