Pub on Bolton and Wigan border forced to close despite having Wigan postcode

A perplexed landlord has had to close his pub after licensing officers told him that it was in Bolton.

Licensing officers from Bolton Council visited The Alexandra pub in Hindley Road, Hindley Green on Thursday (September 10) and ordered landlord Frank Ashton to close immediately.

Under new local restrictions, pubs and restaurants in Bolton can only offer takeaway services and must close completely between 10pm and 5am.

Mr Ashton is adamant that the pub is over the Wigan border and said that the decision to close it could have a "critical" impact on the business.

"The border is actually about 150 yards up from the pub," he said.

"A river runs underneath the road and that's the border. However, when licensing visited us on Thursday, they said that the border runs up the middle of Swan Lane and Hindley Road so the garden centre across the road is actually in Wigan but we're not.

"You can understand the pubs on Bradshawgate being closed down but we're a little country pub, it's Covid-secure and we're just getting back on our feet. Then this has just come and kicked us."

"This could be critical. We've worked eight and a half years to build the business up and this is a complete blow. I'm even considering taking another job on to deal with some of the bills because they've not stopped.

Mr Ashton said that the confusion over the situation has filtered down to his customers.

Alder Lane Nurseries Garden Centre, which is across the road from The Alexandra, is in Wigan but the pub itself isn't, according to Bolton Council (Manchester Evening News)

He added: "They're all completely incredulous.

"There's just no common sense. Everybody I've spoken to said it doesn't make sense. It's clearly in Hindley Green, even the licensing documents say Hindley Green.

"It's just really annoying."

Bolton Council clarified its stance and said that the border between Westhoughton and Hindley Green is immediately after The Alexandra.

A spokesman also confirmed that the Town Hall only license businesses within the boundaries of Bolton borough.

A map showing the official electoral boundaries between the boroughs of Bolton and Wigan. The blue shaded area, including The Alexandra in the bottom left is classed as Westhoughton South. The unshaded area is classed as Hindley Green. (OpenStreetMap)

A council spokesman said: "The pub falls within the borough of Bolton.

"The regulations for Bolton means premises which are in the protected area of Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council must close, and if any part of the premises falls in the area then it has to close.

"Bolton Council does not set the boundary for which postcodes falls within the borough of Bolton – that is set by The Local Government Boundary Commission."

To check if your address is in Bolton and whether the restrictions apply to you, visit the Bolton Council website.