A popular Stockport pub known as “one of the best and most renowned” in the area is sadly facing demolition.
Despite being named CAMRA’s pub of the year in 2007, and being regularly featured in its national Good Beer Guide, The Railway, in the Portwood area of Stockport, is unfortunately facing demolition after plans for a new store were backed for approval.
It’s been a long time coming since permission was granted for the pub’s demolition 15 years ago, but it appears like time could finally be up for the much-loved boozer.
Planning chiefs have recommended that councillors sign off on a scheme that will also see the nearby Carpetright store levelled.
Developers Morbaine Ltd – who bought the half-acre sight back in 2006 – wants to knock down the two buildings to make way for a new retail unit, which would providing 1472 sq m of floorspace that is split between the ground floor and a mezzanine level.
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The firm said it had always intended to demolish the pub, as it was “in very poor condition” and is now “beyond economic repair”.
Around a dozen objections have however been lodged against the application.
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The Railway in Portwood was named CAMRA’s pub of the year in 2007 / Credit: Flickr
Opponents include the chairman of Stockport and South Manchester CAMRA, and local Councillor Will Dawson – who said in a written representation to Stockport Council that The Railway has been “the bedrock of the recent revival of the Stockport pub and real ale scene”
“I am deeply concerned about the loss of one of the best, and most renowned pubs in Stockport – with significant social and cultural benefits to the community – to be replaced by another unnecessary retail unit,” he added.
Councillor Dawson also claims there are already “dozens of empty retail units” in the town centre, and that “technological and societal shifts” coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic make the scheme “a risky venture”.
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He has also queried whether the planning permission from 2005 is still valid.
A report that’s set to go before Stockport Council’s planning committee on Thursday night advises panel members that the strength of the applicant’s fall-back position is “overwhelming”, and that only “very limited” weight should be given to the loss of the pub – which should not be the key factor when it comes to deciding whether to grant planning permission.
Developers said the pub is “in very poor condition” and now “beyond economic repair” / Credit: Facebook (The Railway Portwood)
The plans state vehicle access to the site would be from the Great Portwood Street roundabout and there would be 28 car parking spaces – including four disabled bays and four electric vehicle-charging spaces – as well as a further eight covered cycle spaces and two motorcycle bays.
A pedestrian route across the site from Great Portwood Street to Brewery Street would also be provided in the scheme, as currently none exists.
The planning committee is recommended to grant planning permission subject to conditions and the developer agreeing a £9,500 payment to fund traffic regulation orders on Great Portwood Street, Avenue Street, Brewery Street and Richard Street.
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Stockport Council’s Planning and Highways committee meets on Thursday evening (19 August).
New pie shop with Indian-inspired fillings opens at Greater Manchester train station
Emily Sergeant
At long last, Patel’s Pies – the proper pie shop with Indian-inspired fillings – has got its very own site, and we couldn’t be happier about it.
The business is already a familiar name (to the blue half of the city, of course) thanks to its matchday spot outside the Etihad Stadium, but now, Patel’s Pies will be serving its delicious savoury bakes to the people of the Heatons too – with its brand-new pie shop now opene at Heaton Chapel train station.
Here you’ll find their legendary curry pies with homemade pastry – filled with the likes of keema, butter chicken, and beef madras.
You can grab hot and cold pies to take away, all setting you back an affordable £5.95 each.
Patel’s Pies is now open at Heaton Chapel train station / Credit: The Manc Group
From 11am-2pm, you can also get your hands on the lunch deal, which is any pie, masala mash, spiced mushy peas, and gunpowder gravy.
Patel’s Pies has teamed up with Manc legends Gooey, so you can grab the bakery’s famous cookies and doughnuts here too.
There’ll also be local beers and canned drinks up for grabs.
All pies will set you back an affordable £5.95 each / Credit: The Manc Group
Inside, the shop keeps things traditional, complete with classic pie warmers on the counter and hand-painted signage by Cactus Sign Painting, giving the space the feel of a proper old-school pie shop with a modern twist.
Announcing the new venture, Steve, the owner of Patel’s Pies has said: “We’d love for you to come down, say hello, and support our new venture. It’s our very first day, so please bear with us as we get settled in, we can’t wait to serve you all.”
Patel’s Pies is open now at Heaton Chapel Train Station on Tatton Road South.
Featured Image – The Manc Group
Food & Drink
Trendy Ancoats wine bar Blossom Street Social to close after six years
Emily Sergeant
Trendy neighbourhood wine bar Blossom Street Social has announced its closure after nearly seven years serving the Ancoats community.
Blossom Street Social first opened its doors back in 2019, just months before the country – and the res of the world – was plunged into the COVID-19 lockdowns, but despite all the challenges during the early days, this wine bar went on to become a true staple of Ancoats life – hosting events, exhibitions, wine tastings, and everything in between.
But now, the owners have had to make the heartbreaking decision to close, saying they’ve ‘danced our last dance, played our last record, and poured our last glass of wine in Ancoats.’
Announcing the news in a statement to social media this week, Blossom Street Social said: “Blossom Street Social closes its doors after six and a half years at the heart of the Ancoats community.
Blossom Street Social has announced its closure after six years / Credit: The Manc Group
“When we opened in 2019, just months before the world changed forever, we couldn’t possibly have imagined the journey ahead. Through lockdowns, uncertainty and everything that followed, we somehow managed to build something that became far more than a wine bar.
“Wine was always at the heart of what we did, but so were the conversations, the music, the art and the community that grew around it.
“We’ve hosted tastings, exhibitions, launches, celebrations, social sessions and countless memorable nights. We’ve introduced people to wines they’d never tried before, watched friendships form and shared in some truly special moments.
“We’ve watched first dates become engagements, engagements become marriages, and couples return with babies in tow. We’ve celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, new homes and countless milestones alongside you. We’ve shared conversations, laughter, music and moments that mattered from our little corner of Ancoats. We will never forget them.”
The team then went on to thank ‘every customer, artist, DJ, supplier, collaborator and friend’ who became part of their story.
The owners also gave a special thank you to the staff members who stayed ‘to the very end’ and ‘showed up when it was hard’, admitting that they couldn’t have done it without them all.
The Manc -
17th August 2021 
