'The next person to run it has big shoes to fill' - Tipton residents talk about memories and future of Mad O'Rourke's Pie Factory
The news of the iconic Mad O'Rourke's Pie Factory being put up for sale has prompted a strong response from residents and people working in Tipton.
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The Pie Factory sits on the edge of the Sandwell town, acting as a gateway into Tipton on Hurst Lane and there's been a hostelry there since at least the 1860’s.
The Five Ways Inn stood on the site at the beginning of the 20th century until it was demolished in 1923, then was replaced with the Doughty Arms Inn before becoming Mad O'Rourke's Pie Factory in 1987.
It has been owned and run by Pete Towler since the start of the century, becoming a popular restaurant and pub which has attracted customers from across the world and become synonymous with Tipton.
When news broke at the end of last week about Mr Towler putting Mad O'Rourke's up for sale, it prompted a lot of questions around the future of the pub and restaurant, as well as well as its place within the community.
The Pie Factory is just down the road from Tipton town centre, with a lot of people out and about shopping, meeting friends for a pint in one of the pubs or attending an appointment with hair dressers or the dentist.
One person, who asked not to be named, said it had been around as long as she could remember and said that whoever took over next should keep it the way it has always been.
