The Snipe pub in Audenshaw, led by Kate Mudriczki for the last four years, has become an important part of the local area after previously having a poor reputation. Kate was recently named a finalist at the Pub Aid Community Hero awards, making her the only person from a Robinsons pub and from any pub in Greater Manchester to be recognised at that stage of the awards.
Community support and fundraising
Throughout the year, Kate fundraises for and supports a number of organisations and charities, including kids toy appeals at Christmas, hosting local food banks and donating clothing to the homeless. The pub also hosts monthly meetings for the local church, as well as meet-ups for Andy's Man Club and The Chronic Room.
The Tameside pub offers live music, quizzes, karaoke and open mic nights throughout the week, with recent one-off events including a 'pie and bingo' night and family fun days.
Signature Sunday roasts
The pub is known for Kate's homemade Sunday roasts, which can include chicken-fat roast potatoes and cauliflower cheese. All ingredients come from local suppliers, and the roasts feature homemade Yorkshire puddings made with Guinness.
“A lot of people love them,” Kate laughs. “They make the batter lighter and have a faint taste of the ale to them.”
History and transformation
The pub lost its lease in 2021 due to long-standing drugs and crime problems. Kate said it was like a ghost town when she moved in, with people frightened to come initially, but the team has worked hard to change opinions.
The Snipe dates back to the late 1700s and early 1800s and sits on marshland where snipes used to live. The pub has a haunted history, with paranormal investigators from the show Ghost Dimension, which airs on Pluto TV in America, featuring it after a seance and investigations found activity in the cellar.
Community spirit
Kate credits the community for keeping the pub open: “Everybody is responsible for this pub remaining open. It’s taken the whole community to keep it open, and would not have been possible without them giving us a chance.”
The pub also hosted a finale party for Strictly Come Dancing star Ellie Leach, who went on to win the competition, with many Coronation Street stars attending.
