HISTORIC SWINTON PUB WHERE THE ARRIVAL OF PAUL GASCOIGNE LED TO A WILD PARTY

Landlady Lyndsey Smethills, 47, has managed the White Swan in Swinton for nine years – and was joined last year by her partner Mike Carr, 47 with whom she now runs the pub.

Owned by the Manchester based Joseph Holt brewery, following an £800 000 refurbishment the White Swan was recently licensed as a wedding and ceremony venue. The newly constructed Joseph Holt Suite accommodates 150 seated guests.

How did you get into the pub industry in the first place?

I did bar work in my 20’s but decided to become a mortgage advisor. But I never stopped thinking about wanting to run a pub. My brother Paul McDermott was actually landlord of the White Swan – tragically he suffered an unexpected heart attack and died at 47 in 2012. It made me more determined to try and get my own pub. I applied to Joseph Holt who have 127 pubs across the North West. To my astonishment in 2016 I was offered the White Swan (I didn’t tell them about the connection beforehand!) I felt this was fate, that it was Paul watching out for me. It just felt that it was meant to be.

What is the significance behind the pub’s name?

There has been a pub here for around 200 years, and was first known as The Swan. Joseph Holt bought the premises in 1868 during the company’s early expansion across Greater Manchester and over time the name evolved into the “White Swan”. It was a common symbol on English royal coats of arms and nobility.

What’s your best-selling drink?

There are two – Joseph Holt Crystal which was the first of our lagers to win a gold medal at the International Brewing Awards. We also sell a lot of Crystal Gold which is a continental style lager. We have customers from 18 to 80 upwards. But I think we sell so much lager because so many young people come into the pub as it’s so popular.

What’s an unusual thing that’s happened at the pub?

A few years ago, Paul Gascgoine came in with a couple of friends. At first, I didn’t believe it was him. But as soon as I heard his accent, I knew it was him. I couldn’t believe it and put a picture of us together on social media. Within 15 minutes the place was packed, especially with football lovers who knew him as Gazza. He was brilliant; chatting, doing selfies. We ended up putting the music on and had a bit of a party.

Have there been any famous or notable guests who have visited?

Apart from Gazza, Adrian Morley the former professional rugby league footballer, as well as Andy Holden who was a long-serving coach at Everton. Clint Boon has also done a few nights here.

What is it about your local community that you love?

It’s so warm and it is like having a big family: everyone is happy, helping each other – be it charity events or when someone needs a hand. When I met my partner Mike and we started dating everyone was so happy for us.

Have there been any haunted encounters or folk tales involving the pub?

There are times when lights have flashed on and off for no reason – I like to think it’s my brother, Paul and that he’s around. You’ll Never Walk Alone was played at his funeral and one time we were talking about him, and the song suddenly came on the television.

The telly also once came on downstair at 3am but I left it on I wasn’t going to find out.

How can people support their local pub?

Come and support the charity events, socials and groups that take place here – we are such a community hub and there’s so much going on. We do a pensioner’s party, host a healthy heart club, book club, chess club, knitting group and more. We are also very close to the Royal Naval Association and a lot of veteran’s events happen here. And of course, it’s now a great place to have a wedding. We can do everything. All life is here at the White Swan.

As featured in the Manchester Evening News.