A popular hotel and restaurant has announced it will be closing its doors due to the 'ridiculous' rise in utility bills from 'greedy' energy firms. The Albany, in Heywood, confirmed it will be shutting for the final time today (Sunday, June 26).
The venue, on Rochdale Road East, functions as both a hotel and a pub and restaurant named The Orchard. However, following the cost of living crisis and energy bills hiking more than ever before, it sadly announced via social media it would be closing due to 'circumstances out of our control'.
The post cited the 'ridiculous' rise in utility bills from 'greedy' energy firms as the reason for its demise, as it went on to urge the people living in the town to continue supporting independent businesses, which would be a 'massive loss to a lot of people'.
READ MORE What you have to do to get a £1,000 a month flat in town these days is 'crazy'
Ten days before its scheduled closure, on June 16, the venue shared an initial Facebook post which thanked customers for years of support. It read: "With the heaviest of hearts and due to circumstances completely out of our control The Albany will be closing its doors on the 26th June for the final time!
"Customers, old and new, please join us over the next 10 days celebrating what has been an amazing place to socialise, dance, sing, drink and for the amazing team, to work! Heywood won’t be the same without The Albany!"
A day later, on June 17, the Albany then took to Facebook once again, to announce the true reason for its closure, and to dispel rumours it was being sold off to become converted flats. The post, which called out 'greedy energy providers', saw an outpouring of support from regular customers
The post, which had hundreds of shares, said: "So to stop the rumours there’s no buyer it’s not been put up for sale or sold for flats! It’s closed only because of the ridiculous rise in utility bills the last two months.
"So please do everything as Heywood people to keep the remaining shops, pubs and local businesses open! Like to thank you all for your custom over the years and the closing of the pub will be a massive loss to a lot of people.
"So more than ever use local shops, butchers, bars, restaurants and support local businesses!"
One disappointed person responded: "We’ve had many parties at your pub. So sorry to hear your bad news. Good luck for the future." as another wrote: "We went there for Christmas dinner years ago with my Mum. Last time we went out with her. All the family. So sad."
Another comment read: "So sad. Lots of great memories there, sign of the times, another great establishment disappearing. Hope somebody rescues the Albany." The Manchester Evening News tried to contact the Albany on numerous occasions but did not get a reply.
READ TODAY'S TOP STORIES HERE.
READ NEXT
-
The ‘silly rule’ stopping small businesses in the city centre doing deliveries
-
Cheapest one-bed flats and apartments you can rent in Manchester city centre
-
Two-day beer party with street food and live music returns to Manchester this weekend
-
Manchester's Chinatown 'heartbroken' after 'iconic' pagoda trashed by mindless vandals
