The end of an era as sandwich shop closes

The owners of the Sandwich Inn in Churchgate announced today that they are retiring on December 21.

The news comes as a blow to surrounding office workers -- including those at the Bolton Evening News -- who have come to rely on it to provide daily sustenance.

Peter and Dorina Green and Dorina's brother Bruno Sabini have decided to call it a day and end a tradition which has seen catering establishments in the same premises for 112 years.

The former temperance bar was acquired by the Italian Sabini family 70 years ago and Dorina and Bruno have worked there all their lives.

It became the Sandwich Inn when Mr Green married Dorina in 1968 and the three partners have had a 5am start to their working day ever since.

Mr Green said that they had decided to retire in their own time rather than be forced out by any future illness.

They intended to continue to live in flats above the cafe, which it was hoped could be let out as an office rather than a retail or catering outlet.

Bruno is aged 67, Peter is 63 and Dorina is 62.

The decision means five job losses.

"No one in the family has ever retired before," Mr Green said. "They have tended to die in harness."

Mr Green has developed an idiosyncratic style over the years which involves light-hearted abuse and banter with customers.

He sees it as an antidote to the "have a nice day" ethos of fast food outlets.

"Because there is no malice, people tolerate it," he said. "If you can establish a rapport, people come back."

Dorina said she regarded customers as friends and was glad to be staying where she was. "People like us like people," she said.

The closure means the end of the Sandwich Inn's famous "Beefer" -- a hot roast bun which has been popular since it was introduced in 1980.

Leaflets handed out to customers today said: "We would like to thank the thousands of loyal customers who have patronised the business for so many years and made us feel our work has been appreciated."