Work starts on flats plan for historic inn
WORK has begun to turn one of Greater Manchester’s oldest pubs into luxury flats.
The White Lion, a Grade II listed building on Great Underbank, has had a colourful history since first being granted a licence in the 14th century.
And now a new £2.4m chapter is being written as Laurus Homes, in partnership with the council, convert the pub into 11 homes and a ground-floor restaurant. The project is expected to take 12 months and will produce 11 duplex apartments.
Caroline Simpson, corporate director for place at Stockport council, said: “I’m delighted that work breathing life back into The White Lion has begun.
“Injecting new life back into historic buildings is vital to ensuring Stockport is a vibrant and popular place to live, work and play. The heart of our town is becoming a popular and attractive place to live.
“Creating new homes, like the new apartments in the White Lion, as well as improved public spaces for everyone to enjoy, is vital in making sure we fulfil our vision of Stockport becoming the town centre residential location of choice in south Manchester.”
The White Lion, originally a coaching inn, was a popular destination as it was situated close to the only crossing point of the Mersey at Lancashire Bridge.
It could accommodate more than 20 horses in its stables and it is believed guests were allowed to fish for salmon in the Mersey and could use the inn’s own pew in nearby St Mary’s Church.
The landlord kept a cannon ready to indicate the arrival of the mail coach from London and news was read by the town crier in front of the pub.
Stockport council bought the four-storey building, which had been empty for some time, two years ago.
Various other building work has taken place over the years, with the mock Tudor frontage added on in 1823.
The project is part of a redevelopment of Stockport Old Town funded by £7m from council coffers and £1.8m from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
This area, which includes the Market Place, the Underbanks and Hillgate, has suffered in recent years with calls from traders there for more investment. The council now plans for it to become an area for smaller, independent shops.
A programme of refurbishing shop fronts will also take place to improve the image of the area.