YOU read doom-and-gloom statistics about how many pubs a day nationwide are closing down. In these changing times, the local boozer is having to adapt or die Enter the dining pub.

No longer the pub that does a bit of grub. These are serious in the eating game. And as a prime example, the Turks Head is damned good at what it does too. This is no all-day pub. It doesnt even open on a Saturday until 6 though people sat in their cars waiting for the rattling of the bolts told a story.

We hadnt booked - though the reserved signs all around the tables in both the conservatory and the traditional heart of the pub told us we probably should have done.

Thankfully, there were still a couple of spare tables and mine host Neil Butterworth led us past the bar to our table. We were somewhat disappointed not to be in the aforementioned conservatory as this looked splendid but later in the evening we were just glad to be eating as both rooms were full to capacity.

The staff are efficiently busy, you order at a separate till away from the bar and while there is nothing unusual on the menu it is obviously a hit with the locals. We saw one of the car sitters a couple in their later years in and out inside an hour with a garlic bread starter, a main and a glass of wine each.
Review by the Oldham Evening Chronicle

Opening times
Monday to Saturday
Afternoon
Bar 11.45 to 3.00
Food 12.00 to 2.00

Evening
Bar 6.00 to 11.00
Food 6.00 to 9.00

Sunday
Bar 12.00 to 10.30
Food 12.00 to 8.45

Bank Holiday Mondays
Bar 12.00 to 11.00
Food 12.00 to 8.45