A BELOVED Leigh pub hailed a "pillar of the community" is set to close its doors after three decades as its landlord confirmed its lease has come to an end.

Will Farrell, 30, who has been running the Sarah Moore since December 2022, called the closure of the Elm Road pub a “bittersweet moment” but added he was happy to be it’s last landlord.

The pub, which became the Sarah Moore in the 1990s, is currently for sale with a view to it being turned into a “residential property”.

 

Closing soon - The pub will cease trading on January 4Closing soon - The pub will cease trading on January 4 (Image: The Sarah Moore)

 


Will said: “I think a lot of people will be sad to see the Sarah Moore go.

“The premises itself has a big history, it seems to have played a key part in Leigh, unfortunately, no longer.

“It’s a bittersweet moment, I’m happy to say I was the last landlord but I’m sad to see it go. 

 

Business booming - The pub was really popular during the EurosBusiness booming - The pub was really popular during the Euros (Image: The Sarah Moore)

 

“We’re going out with a bang, we’ve got some brilliant bands, boxing, and a ska DJ.

“It is a pillar of the community. We’ve got a lot of regular customers who’ve been drinking here for a long while.

“We’re going to stand for what the Sarah Moore was, to have a good time. One last go before the pub goes.” 

 

Interior - The pub decorated for HalloweenInterior - The pub decorated for Halloween (Image: The Sarah Moore)

He added the pub will be stripped out on January 6 and will remain empty until any future work begins.

The venue is currently applying for a temporary events notice to ensure it can remain open until 2am on its final night.

Will thanked his “amazing” customers and staff for all they have done to support the pub over the years, and said he wanted the venue’s time to “end in style”. 

 

Euros - Patrons gather outside the pub to watch the competition this yearEuros - Patrons gather outside the pub to watch the competition this year (Image: The Sarah Moore)

 

It was previously subject to a planning application in 2023 which would have seen three floors and seven flats built above it.

The building which houses the pub was constructed in the 1960s and began life as a food outlet store.

The venue is named after one of the characters from an old tale regarding a witch which raised a storm in the estuary, taking its title from this witch who caused a great deal of destruction for the town after being wronged by sailors.