1 day Ago
The owners of a pub in Ramsbottom are furious after their business was defaced with homophobic graffiti. Simon and Will Yates manage The Railway in Bridge Street and say the pub has been “sprayed with paint saying some sort of wording along the lines of being gay”. Will slammed the vandals as “very narrow-minded,” adding there will be a “substantial reward” for anyone who has information about those responsible.
READ MORE: ELR: Heritage railway targeted by 'mindless' vandalism Punch Pubs & Co, the brewery that owns the pub, said it is “deeply disappointing” to see the pub defaced. Will said: “We've had yet another hate crime against us here at The Railway. "The pub has been sprayed with paint saying some sort of wording along the lines of being gay! “In the year 2025, it's very narrow-minded of people to do these sorts of crimes.
"Me and my husband Simon are here to give the fantastic people of Ramsbottom a brilliant community pub. “So guys, let's all pull together and find who has committed this horrible crime. "We're going to offer a substantial reward to anyone who can bring to justice and a name or names of who has done this! "We want a conviction in place of this substantial reward.
” A Punch Pubs & Co spokesperson said: “It’s deeply disappointing to see the defacing of The Railway pub in Ramsbottom. "Now more than ever, it’s vital that we stand together against hate crime and continue to champion safe, inclusive, and welcoming spaces within our pubs. “As a business, we have signed an industry-recognised Diversity and Inclusion Charter and are proud to partner with national charities such as Ask For Clive, reinforcing our commitment to the message that everyone is welcome in our pubs.
“Will and Simon run a fantastic, inclusive community pub, and with the support of their guests, the wider community, and Punch, we have every confidence they will continue to thrive in the face of this unacceptable act.” Police have been approached for comment..
