The Dutton Arms in Eccles has been serving the people of Salford for generations, but with changing times, rising costs, and changing social habits its landlords fear for the future of the pub.
Charismatic husband-and-wife team Donna and Matt Shaw, who run The Dutton Arms, on Barton Road in Barton-upon-Irwell, say that as the areas has changed, so too have drinking habits.
Donna is worried about the future of the pub. “We’ve got the back end of it now,” she says nostalgically. “We’ve got another five years left, and that’s it.”
Despite the steady support from regulars, the pub still faces challenges, specifically the rising cost of utilities and supply chains.
“I feel guilty sometimes, having to keep putting the prices up,” Donna admits. “But we can’t continue if we don’t.”
According to the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), in 2021, a total of 290 pubs were demolished or converted to another use in Great Britain. CAMRA has called for government intervention to protect pubs and said in a statement:
“Pubs offer a vital hub for locals to get together as a community. Pubs are also taking an active role in tackling loneliness – whether that’s running lunch groups, chatting to regulars or just providing a place for people to meet”.
A lot has changed since Donna and Matt took over the pub in the aftermath of COVID-19. They’ve worked hard to keep the sense of community that makes places like this stand out from the crowd, but the pub has struggled to find new customers.
“Now, it’s different. The kids aren’t as interested, but it’s the older crowd, the regulars, that keep it going,” Donna explains.
Eccles icon Tony Shelmerdine, 76, known lovingly as “Grumpy Tony,” sums it up well when he describes the pub as “Great… Yeah, cosy, comfortable and familiar.”
To which Donna wittingly replied, “You must’ve caught him on a good day.”
The Dutton Arms offers a solid selection of drinks, who take particular pride in how they pour their Guinness and have a variety of lagers to choose from.
For many locals, it’s the kind of place that feels familiar and comfortable, a throwback to the classic British pub experience, which is becoming harder to come by.
“I’ve always lived round here, thats why I took it on” Donna said. She continued to talk about how the changing times and differing culture are a leading bearing in the decline of local backstreet boozers:
“You knew your next door neigbour, you knew everyone that lives there. I walk around there now — don’t know anyone. That’s how fast its changing. That’s how fast communities are changing” she said. “You’ve not got the culture now with the kids. The kids aren’t as interested — they’d rather play on their computer after work or smoke a joint…you’ve got no chance”.
Despite the challenges, The Dutton Arms still feels alive. You’d struggle to find a better pint of Guinness in the area. Donna’s passionate about her pours, and it shows.
It’s a pub where the conversation flows as easily as the drinks, and the warmth of the community is obvious in the steady flow of regulars who return week after week.
“Luckily, we’ve got good clientele — touch wood — at tea time, workmen meeting up, swapping jobs. We got a lot of electricians, pumbers” and as second nature, interrupted herself, “you having a pint Tony?” before continuing to explain regrettably that, “in five years time, that won’t be happening”.
Donna and Matt have evidently worked hard to ensure that the essence of the place remains intact, even as they navigate the challenges that so many independent businesses are facing today. Donna said:
“Im a tenant, I’m not a manager. I’ve got the contract for another two years. What I do after that, I don’t know. Not one hundred percent decided — because of changing times, the cost of living. Everything’s going up and we don’t like to put everything up”.
Every Friday, The Dutton Arms also hosts a live singer from 5:00PM to 7:30PM, followed by a DJ-led karaoke session.
For more information, visit their website here
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