Mad O'Rourkes saved from threat of closure

The future of the landmark Mad O'Rourkes Pie Factory was today secured as former owner Pete Towler stepped in to buy it back from administrators.

The landmark pub in Hurst Lane, Tipton, closed yesterday for a refurbishment project and will reopen under Mr Towler's ownership. The move will also see the return of "Desperate"

Dawn Pitts, the pub's former general manager and head chef, who got her nickname because of the pub's renowned Desperate Dan cow pies. She was made redundant when Birmingham-based administrators PKF took over in July.

Mr Towler, aged 51, of Tettenhall, Wolverhampton, said today that he and wife Susan were "delighted" to save the pub. He added: "I am thrilled, really happy to be back."

The pub will be closed for around three weeks for the revamp — though Mr Towler said it would not lose any of its quirky charm. "We are not changing the character of the pub," he said.

"We will be bringing in new furniture and re-doing the toilets."

The pub had remained open and was run by LT Pub Management as PKF looked for a buyer. It has been bought back under the new name of P&S Pies Ltd, with Mrs Towler as director — and all 15 jobs have been secured. Mr Towler said there were no current plans to try to buy back any of the former chain's previous branches in Himley Road, Lower Gornal, and Camp Hill, Wordsley.

The Mad O'Rourkes chain was plunged into financial crisis when it emerged the two Dudley branches had been handed to receivers Begbies Traynor last June.