It has played host to many of the soap's
storylines and is the focus of the programme. The Woolpack is where
people meet up for a drink and to talk. Some of the biggest
storylines of Emmerdale have involved the pub.
The
1993 plane crash saw the Woolpack wine bar demolished trapping
many people inside and paralysing Chris Tate
from the waist down.
It was also involved in
the storm of 2003 where the roof was struck by lightning which
chased the chimney to fall through the roof causing a window to
collapse and fall on Tricia
Dingle, which eventually resulted in her death.
The first Woolpack was the Falcon Inn in Arncliffe.
When the outdoor scenes were moved to Esholt in 1976 the
Commercial Inn was chosen as the new Woolpack. The present Woolpack
is on the purpose built Emmerdale village set on the Harewood
estate which is based on Esholt.
For many years the Woolpack had a rival pub in
the village called The Malt Shovel which was supposedly slightly
downmarket compared to the Woolpack. Although in recent years
especially since the move to Harewood the Malt Shovel has not been
mentioned. In 2008 Val said the Malt Shovel has been refurbished
and renamed Malt. Val is planning to refurbish the wool pack and
rename it Wool.
The current landladies are sisters Diane Sugden
and Val
Pollard.
The current employees are: