Cheers for the memories!
Jess Molyneaux lists 15 of the lost pubs fondly remembered by readers
MANY of our most popular and fondly remembered pubs have been lost down the years.
We asked Manchester Evening News readers to name some of their favourite pubs to visit in the 1990s that are no longer around - and here are just 15 of the names you suggested, as well as a number of bars.
This list is by no means complete and only captures a number of pubs and bars readers loved to visit in the 90s.
THE BIRCH
Built in 1892 at a cost of £3,000, The Birch gained a new lease of life in 1973 when Ron Stubley became licensee - a position he would hold for 21 years.
Ron continued as manager after ending his spell as licensee in 1994, but after this time the pub wound down the live music events it was loved and renowned for.
The Birch ended up being doomed by work to complete the M60, which cut it off from passing trade, and by 2005 it had closed its doors.
Nearly 15 years after it was demolished, it’s fondly remembered by MEN. readers who tipped it as their favourite lost pub
THE SHREWSBURY HOTEL
The Shrewsbury Hotel was located on
Clifton Street, Old Trafford and attracted many regulars from the surrounding area.
Derelict by the early noughties, it’s now a school. It was fondly remembered by a number of our readers, including Tony Kirby and Kevin Gallagher. The latter wrote: “Shrewsbury Old Trafford, great times.”
THE MIDWAY HOTEL
The Midway Hotel was on Stockport Road in Levenshulme and its closure ended over a hundred years of history.
In the years since it closed the building has housed a cash and carry and a private college. It’s missed by a number of our readers, including Dorothy Darbyshire and Nicola Strickland. Nicola remembers it for the ‘live bands every weekend’.
SEVEN STARS
The Seven Stars pub stood on Tower Street in Heywood. Many will remember the popular venue for its live music and performances from popular bands and DJs.
Rochdale psych-folk band Tractor, who were spotted by John Peel, were among bands that played there back in the day.
As Jackie Wainscott remembers it: “Great Bands on Thursday and
Sunday nights. Saw Supertramp there in early seventies for 25p.”
THE CHESTNUT LODGE
The Chestnut Lodge was on Trafford Road, Patricroft.
In 2013, the MEN reported how police called time on the Eccles pub which by then had become a hotspot for anti-social behaviour.
The pub later closed and the building is no more. Hayden Lufkin posted: “Chestnut Lodge, demolished not sure what for or why, was good pub, my first pint in there.”
THE WHITWORTH
The Whitworth was on Moss Lane East, Rusholme.
It closed around 10 years ago and was later converted into a cafe, Anchor Coffee House.
The building is now owned by Vinelife Manchester church.
Allan Calvert remembers: “The Whitworth on Moss Lane opposite the park. Sadly missed. Once a very, very comfortable place to be.”
THE DRAGON
The Dragon was located on Parr Lane, Unsworth, Bury. Now a Co-op food store , the pub closed over a decade ago. In 2010, the MEN reported how nearly 200 people objected to the proposals.
NOWSTER
This pub, remembered by M.E.N readers Mark Mulligan and Geoff Collings, was on Oldham Road in Middleton. Vacant from 2011, in 2018 the MEN reported how plans were submitted to demolish The Nowster and replace it with a GP’s surgery and dental practice. The pub was demolished in 2019.
THE BEN BRIERLEY
Named after the local writer and councillor, the Benjamin Brierley pub was on the corner of Kenyon Lane and Moston Lane.
The landmark building is still in the centre of Moston, but the pub has been closed for over a decade.
Claire Louise Bird recalled: “The Thatched House, Ben Brierley and the Museum all in Moston!”
THE EMPRESS
The Empress pub was on Cheetham Hill Road. The building is now tearoom Cha Cha Chai.
THE GOLDEN TAVERN
The Golden Tavern was located on Rochdale Road in Harpurhey.
In 2012, the MEN reported how Manchester town hall chiefs bought the Golden Tavern pub in Harpurhey to turn into a green space.
The building cost £143,500 - with the demolition adding a further £70,000 to the bill.
THE CHURCH INN
Tipped by M.E.N reader Stephen Robinson, the Church Inn was located on the corner of Yew Tree Avenue and Stockport Road, Levenshulme.
The site was demolished over a decade ago and Arcadia Library & Leisure Centre now dominates the area around the site.
TOMMY DUCKS
Landmark pub Tommy Ducks was on East Street across from the Midland Hotel. Remembered by readers including Mike Nuttall, it was bulldozed in the 1990s and in its place stands a Premier Inn hotel.
THE RAILWAY
The Railway, mentioned by reader Victoria Victoria, was on Stockport Road in Levenshulme, opposite Levenshulme train station.
In 2016, the MEN reported how the former site became Dice Lounge, a new cocktail and champagne lounge.
THE RED LION, MOSS SIDE
The Red Lion, which stood on the corner of Claremont Road and Jay Street in Moss Side, was also recalled by our readers. The pub has since been demolished.