The Pie Factory pub in Tipton is up for sale. People of Tipton have there say.

Express & Star

We ask people in Tipton how they feel about the looming sale of Landmark destination pub: The Pie Factory.

Transcript

00:00When people think of Tipton they think of Madam Rourke's Pie Factory. In the week that

00:07we found out that the Madam Rourke's Pie Factory has been put up for sale for a cool £2 million,

00:12I've been here in Tipton speaking to people, asking them what they think about the sale,

00:15whether they think the new owners, as and when they come, have big shoes to fill, and

00:19also what they feel about the place in general. Let's go and see what they have to say.

00:22So what was your reaction when you found out that the pie factory was being sold?

00:27I was a bit shocked after so many years, but like I've said earlier, I haven't used the

00:35pub for over 10 years.

00:37What's been the reason? Has it just been that you've not felt like it's been your sort of place?

00:41It's because everybody goes there for food rather than the drink, but I've heard it's

00:49a lovely place. A mate of mine from Dudley uses the place all the while. He eats there

00:57And it's one of those places that when you speak about Tipton, you think of the pie factory, don't you?

01:00Yeah, yeah, yeah, because the pie factory is part of Tipton.

01:08And whoever takes over next, they've got big shoes to fill, haven't they?

01:12Well, yeah, they've got to keep their reputation up. But remember, years ago when I was born,

01:19you'd walk up to the pie factory, I think it was the Goff Arms, was it?

01:25So what were your thoughts when you found out the Madder Walks was going up for sale?

01:29It's going to be a shame, because obviously it brings people towards the area of Tipton,

01:35so obviously without that, we might lose a bit of trade.

01:39At the moment, obviously the owner has said that it's not closing, it's not going away,

01:43he just wants to sort of move on, but it's going to be a change when it happens.

01:48That's the thing, isn't it?

01:49Yes, yeah. Whoever takes it over, they're going to want to put their own stamp onto it.

01:53It's kind of synonymous with Tipton. When you think of Tipton, you think of the pie factory, don't you?

01:57Yes, because it's been there for many years.

01:59And we were sort of speaking before this, you said that you've never been.

02:03Is there something about maybe a change that would persuade you to go there?

02:06Working in Tipton?

02:08No, it won't make me go there. It's just somewhere I've never thought of going.

02:12So what was your reaction when you found out the Madder Walks was going up for sale?

02:15Well, fair play, look, I've done a good job at the pub and the mills and bang on,

02:20I don't know, I've been in a few times there and the meals, the pastry on top and the meat underneath,

02:26not to my acquirement, plus the beer, the lump hammer, that wasn't to my taste really.

02:32From what we've been told, I've been speaking to the owner about it, he said that...

02:35He's got the news tonight.

02:36We're putting it in the newspaper, this is going to be part of the video online.

02:40One of the things I spoke to him about, the owner, he said it's time, he's thinking of retiring

02:44because of health and age and everything. Do you think it's the right time?

02:49He knows that though, you know what I mean?

02:51I think he's...

02:52He's health has been very good, I've seen a video on Facebook,

02:56so he's health has been very good, so probably it's the right time for him to leave.

02:59Do you agree that the place is...

03:01When you think of tips, can you think of Madder Walks Pie Factory?

03:04Yeah, yeah, yeah.

03:05Fair play round here.

03:06It's been there a long time, mate.

03:08Big parts of the country, mate.

03:10And whoever takes it over, they've got big shoes to fill, haven't they?

03:12Oh, not half, not half.

03:13That's the key, can they keep up to his standard, like, you know what I mean?

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