Who owns The Woolpack? History of Emmerdale’s iconic pub
AFTER a tense auction in Emmerdale, Charity Dingle and her son Ryan Stocks became the new owners of the Woolpack.
A staple in the eponymous village and ITV soap, built in 1776, the inn has seen many landlords enter and exit throughout the decades. Get to know them.
Who owns The Woolpack?
Ryan Stocks (James Moore): 2022
As mentioned above, Ryan Stocks became the new owner of the famous pub.
Born on December 31, 1990, Ryan (played by actor James Moore) is a website builder.
He is the biological son of Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins) and Mark Bails (Rocky Marshall) but was adopted by Irene Stocks, the midwife that delivered him.
Ryan first stepped into the Dales in 2018, reuniting with his birth mother Charity.
Irene passed away off-screen, leaving Ryan with a considerable amount of money.
This allowed him to outbid Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley), among other potential buyers during a recent auction, and buy the Woolpack alongside his mother Charity.
When asked by website about whether his character would want to make any radical changes about the pub, actor James replied: "I think Ryan may want to modernise the Woolpack and create a more youthful vibe to the pub."
"As we know, he is a computer wiz and I expect he will have good ideas for promoting the club on social media et cetera."
But how will other members of the Dingle clan react?
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Al Chapman (Michael Wildman): 2021-2022
Arriving in Emmerdale in 2019, Al (played by Michael Wildman) got down to business.
Al was a co-owner of the Woolpack with Marlon Dingle and Chas Dingle from 2021, until the inn was bought by Ryan.
However, his plans included converting the Woolpack into a block of luxury flats, which Marlon and Chas were both opposed to.
To support his project, he asked for the financial help of a loan shark named Gavin but was unable to repay his debt.
Eventually, this led to the businessman setting the pub ablaze during the Christmas period.
Unable to cash in on the insurance money, Chas and Marlon were ready to sign the entirety of the Woolpack over to Al... until Cain and Mackenzie got involved.
Al lost the support of Gavin and has had to give up on his project.
Marlon Dingle (Mark Charnock): 2021-2022
Landlord and former co-owner of the Woolpack, Marlon (portrayed by Mark Charnock) also took on the role of chef in the pub kitchens.
Marlon bought into the Woolpack in 2021 after rekindling his relationship with Rhona Goskirk (Zoe Henry).
He co-owned the pub with his cousin Chas Dingle.
Chas Dingle (Lucy Pargeter): 2012-2022
Portrayed by actress Lucy Pargeter, Chas has had one of the longest histories with the Emmerdale pub.
She convinced formed landlady Diane Sugden of letting her buy into the Woolpack in 2011.
For three weeks, Chas went above and beyond to prove herself to Diane, even working behind the bar for free.
In desperate need of money, Diane eventually agreed to sell the Woolpack to Chas.
But she ruffled a few feathers over the years and notably feuded with Debbie (Charley Webb) and Charity, after getting involved with the former's boyfriend Cameron Murray.
After her former boyfriend Carl King's death, Chas narrowly misses going to prison when she is accused of being responsible.
This led to Chas almost losing the pub as she struggled to regain her regulars and even had to take out a loan against the pub.
In October, 2013, the Woolpack was under siege after Chas' former lover Cameron took everyone hostage, threatening to shoot everyone who tried to escape.
Three years later, when Diane retired and sold her share in the pub to another member of the Dingle family, Chas had to share her owner duties.
Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins): 2016-present
After getting released from prison, Charity Dingle bought Diane's share of the Woolpack.
She has since been an on-off co-owner of the pub with her first stint being from 2016 to 2021, and even lived in the inn with her youngest children Noah and Moses.
Vanessa Woodfield then moved in along with her son Johnny when she began a relationship with Charity.
Charity reprised her role with her son Ryan Stocks, although she now lives in Brook Cottage.
Diane Sugden (Elizabeth Estensen): 1999-2016
By investing in the Woolpack along with her son, Charity undoubtedly took inspiration from the woman who sold her her share.
In 1999, Diane (played by Elizabeth Estensen) bought into the Woolpack with her daughter Bernice, becoming her business partner.
Diane ran the pub for a whopping 17 years.
Diane had a tumultuous relationship with her sister Val (Charlie Hardwick) but this didn't stop the two women from working together.
Their bond grows increasingly strained and, following her husband Jack Sugden's death, Diane decides to use the inheritance he left her to buy Val out, this becoming the sole owner of the Woolpack, in 2009.
Diane was among the hostages during Cameron's Woolpack siege.
Although her relationship with Chas was sometimes rocky, both women got along but Diane was eventually convinced of selling her share of the Woolpack by a cancer diagnosis.
After a gruelling round of chemotherapy and treatment, Diane decides she wants to enjoy the rest of her life.
Once her share was sold to Charity, Diane bought a half of the local B&B, The Grange, which she ran with Douglas Potts.
In October, 2021, Diane left the Dales for a new life in Portugal.
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Alan Turner (Richard Thorp): 1991-1999
Long-standing Emmerdale resident, from 1982 until his death in 2013, Alan (Richard Thorp) bought the Woolpack from Amos Brearly in January, 1991.
Alan became the landlord of the pub, taking centre stage in Emmerdale.
He was adamant on modernising the Woolpack, by notably adding a jukebox.
Following a heart attack in 1999, he decided to sell the Woolpack to Diane, with whom he shared a close friendly bond.
Alan passed away off-screen and in his sleep at the age of 78 years old, in October, 2013.
Amos Brearly (Ronald Magill): 1948-1991
Amos (Ronald Magill) was the longest-standing owner of the Woolpack.
He ran the establishment with Henry Wilks for 19 years but first took over the license alone in 1948.
Amos did everything by the book and enforced the rules of the Woolpack.
While running the pub, he was notably locked in the cellar with Henry by burglars, in 1978.
After 43 years at the head of the Woolpack, Amos was convinced by Alan to sell him the pub.
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Remaining one of the main pillars of the community, he eventually retired in 1991.
Amos died after flying away to Spain for a new beginning, prior to 2009.