An article in the Manchester Evening News dated 23 APR 2005 under the headline, “Which is the oldest pub - bar none?” singled out the Roebuck in Rochdale as the oldest pub in that town.  Interestingly, at that time the photograph of the pub used in the article showed the building painted pink.  The article said that, “… According to historical records it was built in 1660 - the year that the monarchy was restored in England after the Civil War and just two years after the country's first stagecoach service was established. In those far off times, the name Newgate was unknown. The area around which the Roebuck was built - and another pub, the Amen Corner, long since demolished - was then referred to as the Market Place.  Proof of the longevity of the Roebuck comes in the form of an old Notice of Auction paper uncovered by local solicitor Mr Richard Greenwood.  The auction was held on 18 January 1787 at six o'clock in the evening "pursuant to such'' conditions as will be then and there produced.   And although the actual age of the Roebuck at that time was not mentioned in the advertisement, it was described as "an 'antient' and good-accustomed house and very convenient for the public benefits in an extensive line.''