Residents in Cheshire have been left ‘bemused’ by the rebrand of a local village pub.
The Red Lion in Goostrey has been saved by the Cheshire Pub Company, who will transform the boozer with a ‘cool new concept’.
The company has picked a space-age name as a nod to the pub’s proximity to Jodrell Bank observatory, and not everyone is happy about it.
After its makeover this summer, The Red Lion will reopen as The Space Invader.
The news was announced on Facebook with a post that said: “Mission accepted. Cheshire Pub Company can officially announce that they will be landing in the village of Goostrey this Autumn.
The Red Lion will reopen as The Space Invader this year. Credit: Google Maps
“Goostrey’s villlage pub, formerly The Red Lion (as pictured) will undergo a makeover this summer, and will be awarded the new name of The Space Invader.
“While the premises will remain a traditional village pub, the cool, new concept will pay homage to the area’s heritage whilst delivering on excellent service, great food, and good times.”
One local said the new name was ‘cheap and ridiculous’ while another said it was ‘an absolutely stupid name’.
They wrote: “I think its great that the pub is having a refresh…….but the name change sounds cheap and ridiculous and not in keeping with the village. The Red Lion has been a part of Goostrey all my life! Everyone I have just mentioned it to thinks your choice is wrong.”
Another said of The Space Invader name: “Sounds to me like it’s a brain storming session gone mad and the CEO of the Cheshire Pub Company who obviously spent to much time as a kid holidaying in Blackpool got his life long dream of naming a pub after his favourite holiday past time. It’s a village pub for **** sake (Crazy).”
One asked: “Great that there’s going to be a refurbishment but surely a better name could be thought of if they want a local link why not just call it …The Lovell or Bar 1957 the date the Telescope was completed.”
In the comments on Facebook, someone said: “Very excited about the refurb totally bemused about the name really not a great choice and judging by the feedback on here I’m not alone in my thoughts.”
But several people pointed out the positive news that the pub was being saved and would remain as a community village pub.
Someone said: “Pleased that the pub is being renovated and will still exist as such. I guess that the name is a link with Jodrell Bank. Good idea! What’s in a name? A well run pub with good food, parking and a space for children to play will do well in my opinion!”
Another said: “I do find it amusing how revved up people are getting about the name. The pub has been saved from being turned into a house or an office!!! The village still has this pub!!! Come on guys, chill out a bit, the name can be changed at any time but if it became a private dwelling that would be almost irreversible.”
The Cheshire Pub Co. said in a statement to the Manchester Evening News: “There is no doubt the name has caused controversy amongst the locals of Goostrey, yet Cheshire Pub Co. ensure that the new name was carefully, and respectfully chosen to link to the Jodrell Bank Observatory, and it’s founder Sir Bernard Lovell – The (ultimate) Space Invader.
“The Space Invader is so much more than a name, it’s a moment in time, an escapism, a satisfaction, and most importantly an element of fun to stand out, and remind us that positive change in the right direction is not only important, it’s necessary. The pub will deliver a respectful, modern take on a classic memory, whilst preserving the former memory and traditions of The Red Lion.
“Whether a classic memory for you is a traditional family dish, an old book, a classic video game, fond film or a favourite place, we will endeavour to recreate those feelings of nostalgia, and grant more heart-warming moments again and again, because that’s just what we do.”
Featured image: The Cheshire Pub Co
Cheshire
‘Dazzling’ Victorian silver sculpture goes on public display in Greater Manchester after fears it was lost
Emily Sergeant
A long-lost masterpiece of Victorian silverwork has been saved and is now on display to the public in Greater Manchester.
Anyone taking a trip over to the National Trust’s historic Dunham Massey property, on the border of Greater Manchester into Cheshire, this summer will get to see the ‘dazzling’ sculpture called Stags in Bradgate Park – which was commissioned by a former owner in a defiant gesture to the society that shunned him.
The dramatic sculpture of two rutting Red Deer stags, commissioned in 1855 by George Harry Grey, 7th Earl of Stamford, was said to be an ‘act of love and rebellion’.
It also serves as a symbol of ‘locking horns’ with the society that ostracised him over his marriage to a woman considered ‘beneath him’.
“This isn’t just silver – it’s a story,” says James Rothwell, who is the National Trust‘s curator for decorative arts.
“A story of a man who fell in love with a woman that society deemed unworthy. When the Earl married Catherine Cox, whose colourful past was said to have included performing in a circus, Victorian high society was scandalised. Even Queen Victoria shunned the couple at the opera and local gentry at the horse races in Cheshire turned their backs on them.”
Modelled by Alfred Brown and crafted by royal goldsmiths Hunt & Roskell, Stags in Bradgate Park is a meticulously-detailed depiction of nature, and was considered a ‘sensation’ in its day.
Showing the rutting deer positioned on a rocky outcrop with gnarled hollow oaks, it graced the pages of the Illustrated London News, was exhibited at the London International Exhibition of 1862, and at the Paris Exposition Universelle of 1867 – both of which were events that drew millions of visitors.
A ‘dazzling’ Victorian silver sculpture has gone on public display in Greater Manchester / Credit: Joe Wainwright | James Dobson (via Supplied)
The silver centrepiece was the celebrity art of its time, paraded through streets and admired by the public like no other.
Gradually over the years, some of the Earl of Stamford’s silver collection has been re-acquired for Dunham Massey, and this particular world-renowned sculpture, thought to be lost for decades and feared to have been melted down, has miraculously survived with its ‘dramatic’ central component being all that is left.
“The sculpture is not only a technical marvel, with its lifelike depiction of Bradgate Park’s rugged landscape and wildlife, but also a dramatic human story key to the history of Dunham Massey,” added Emma Campagnaro, who is the Property Curator at Dunham Massey.
“It speaks of nature, of craftsmanship, and of a couple who chose each other over status and what others thought of them.”
The sculpture has now gone on display at Dunham Massey from Thursday 26 June.
Featured Image – James Dobson (via Supplied)
Cheshire
Man who calls himself ‘Kardashian of Cheshire’ pleads guilty to £200k handbag fraud scam
Emily Sergeant
A man who refers to himself as Cheshire’s very-own Kardashian has pleaded guilty to fraud and theft.
Cheshire Police explained how Jack Watkin, formerly of Wilmslow Road, in the affluent Cheshire suburb of Alderley Edge, funded his fantasy Instagram influencer lifestyle by defrauding businesses and individuals to a total value of more than £200,000.
The 26-year-old appeared at Chester Crown Court yesterday (Tuesday 24 June), where he pleaded guilty to eight counts of fraud by false representation.
The court heard how Watkin used the lure of well-known designer handbag brand, Hermes, as a ruse to trick people into giving him the money he needed to afford his extravagant lifestyle, as these sought-after handbags can’t be purchased over the counter, and instead, shoppers must be specially invited to buy one.
This therefore makes Hermes bags a lucrative investment, as the resale value of them can be much higher than the original price.
Jack Watkin has pleaded guilty to eight counts of fraud / Credit: Cheshire Police
The victims were told by Watkin that he had the contacts that could give them access to the handbags and that they could split the profits made on resale, so they proceeded to hand over their money in good faith.
But when no bag or sign of any money from the investment opportunity showed itself, they would begin to ask for their money back… and it was at this point they encountered his excuses.
A police investigation was launched after one victim contacted the Metropolitan Police back in 2022 when she became suspicious of Watkin’s continued excuses, and the case was subsequently referred to Cheshire Constabulary’s Economic Crime Unit.
Their enquiries unearthed a string of victims and a ‘breathtaking’ amount of luxury goods and hotel bills, all of which Watkin afforded by ‘swindling’ his six victims.
During the investigation, detectives also found indecent images on his mobile phone, which he has already been found guilty of at a previous hearing.
“Watkin deluded himself that he was a successful rich kid influencer,” explained Detective Constable Gareth Yates, of Cheshire Constabulary ECU.
“But in reality, he was stealing money from wealthy individuals under the guise of ‘business opportunities’ to fund his expensive habit of fast cars, luxury goods, and designer footwear and clothing.
“It was never going to end well, and his downfall was inevitable.
“Eventually his lies caught up with him and he is now facing the consequences of his deceit, and his perversions.”
Watkin has been remanded in custody and is set to be sentenced for the fraud and indecent images offences on Wednesday 3 September at Chester Crown Court.
Daisy Jackson -
1st August 2022 
