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Healthy shock as pub takes chips off menu

Bethan Dorsett
30/ 6/2006

FANS of the deep-fat fryer will certainly find one of their favourites missing when they visit their local.

For decades the humble chip has been a staple of pub meals loved by diners of all ages.

But new landlord John Ketley is turning the Cemetery Hotel into a chip-free zone.

The shock may have regulars spluttering into their beer - but rather than driving off his customers he insists it is a bid to keep them healthy.

Mr Ketley has given his chef Tom Fisher the chance to find some creative, delicious alternatives. He declared: "We will not be doing any chips.

"I feel fried food leaves a bad odour in a pub environment and want our food to be fairly healthy.

"There will be plenty of other dishes on offer, like mashed potato."

Mr Ketley has turned the upstairs of the Bury Road pub into a restaurant, named Ollie K's Brasserie.

He has 30 years of experience and some of his former pubs in Egerton and Bolton have received mentions in the Good Food Guide, although recently Mr Ketley has been helping his wife Susan run the Fairview Inn in Broad Lane.

The father-of-four says he has always been keen to stick to his healthy eating principles.

"I got involved in the 'campaign for real food' which was supported by Anthony Worrall-Thompson.

"We will also be going to the markets to buy fresh food of the best quality to cook regularly. It will be a real Lancashire Brasserie."

However, although he is stripping the menu of one of its major items, he assures his regulars he will not be making any drastic changes to the atmosphere of the Cemetery.

"This pub is a real institution and we don't intend to change much, only make small improvements," he added.