The Sir Ralph Abercromby pub, next to Gary Neville’s landmark St Michael’s development, looks set to stay as a traditional backstreet boozer after its refurb. The pub, which dates back to 1780, will soon be joined by a 40-storey tower on Bootle Street in the city centre.
During the refurbishment, the pub is likely to close for ‘six to eight months’, landlord Mike Christodoulou told the Manchester Evening News. Although nothing is set in stone, he says his pub is ‘edging to stay how it is with an old feel to it’.
The pub will soon give its name to a new square in the development — Abercromby Square, Mike added. It will sit alongside the boozer, next to new offices, a five-star hotel, and serviced apartments.
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However, the pub could lose one of its key features — it’s much-loved beer garden. Mike told the M.E.N.: “From my understanding my pub is not going to be affected until the skyscraper starts getting built.
“I will lose my beer garden but I will inherit Abercrombie Square which faces the new offices. I think the idea for the pub is to close for 6 to 8 months before the project is completed and fully refurbished. We are still going to keep it historic. Gary [Neville] likes the way the pub is at the moment. Bits do need doing upstairs.
“I was with Gary a couple of weeks ago. It's still in the balance. It is edging to stay how it is with an old feel to it. They are trying their best to keep the pub open while they build, they have been great to be fair. I am not too happy about the beer garden going but I will inherit the square.”
The news will come as a relief to David Hughes and Pierligi, who both work for Rudy’s Pizzeria which backs onto the watering hole, and visit it post-shift. David himself is a third-generation Abercromby drinker, with his grandfather frequenting it during his former career as a police officer, stationed at the former Bootle Street HQ.
“It’s a United pub, which is why I like it,” David said while on a break from his shift, rolling a cigarette. “I have always liked it with the Peterloo Massacre mural. I used to go there for cup final days and after work. It is a hidden gem.
“I don’t like chain pubs. I like the Peveril of the Peak. They should be protected more, the old pubs. Everyone goes to posh bars.”
His colleague, Pierligi, agreed: “It’s a nice bar. It’s really friendly. We go to watch the football. The locals are really nice around here. I think it would be a loss [if it changed]. People go there just to enjoy a beer.”
Initially, plans for the site included the demolition of the pub and former Bootle Street Police Station, but were altered in 2017. Earlier today, Relentless, the group fronted by ex-United and England star Gary Neville, announced it would be using Salboy to carry out the St Michael’s project.
Salboy have previous experience with pub refurbishments in recent years, with a revamped gastro-pub version of The Black Friar opening last summer. Announcing the partnership, Mr Neville said: “The Relentless team have been on this project for 15 years and we’ve never diluted our ambition on what has been an incredibly long journey to build this complex and challenging project.
"Our aim with St Michael’s has always been to create a world class destination in our city that celebrates our local passion, spirit and hospitality that delivers to a 5 star international standard."
Managing director of Salboy — backed by Betfred founder Fred Done —Simon Ismail added: “Gary and his team have worked incredibly hard to drive the St Michael's project forward over the last few years and we're excited to be on board to help them deliver this hugely ambitious and long-awaited scheme.
"We would like to thank Relentless for giving us an opportunity to be involved in this scheme. St Michael's is already raising expectations for what Manchester has to offer. Now it's time for Salboy, Domis and Relentless to work together to make this development a reality and deliver a destination at the sorts of international standards that all of Manchester can be proud of."
The project is set to be finished by 2026, with work beginning next year.
