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).
Beloved Manc butty shop Bada Bing set for a sensational return to the city centre
Danny Jones
Sandwich lovers rejoice because one of the finest butty shops to ever grace Manchester is returning: that’s right, Bada Bing is bada-back!
The Sopranos-inspired deli and sandwich shop that took its name from one of the central locations featured in the iconic US drama (yes, the strip club), was a huge success when it first opened in Manchester a few short years ago, so it was a huge blow when it closed in February 2022.
Starting out by serving sandwiches out of a window at The B Lounge pub on Paton Street near Piccadilly, before moving to a small kitchen on Radium Street and eventually setting up their stall inside Ancoats General Store, they would regularly have lines around the block every lunchtime.
These Italian-American sarnies were so popular you’d often struggle to get your claws on one – and believe us, they really are a two-handed task – as they’d sell out on what felt like most days. But now, whether you were a regular or someone who missed out, there is hope once again:
Announcing their sensational return to a new site over in the Northern Quarter, which will now mark the fourth premises they’ve popped up at, Bada Bing is back with a bang and, as you can, they dropped the news with one of the best reveal videos we’ve ever seen.
If you know, you know…
Set to take over 125 Oldham Street, owners Sam Gormally and Meg Lingenfelter haven’t yet graced us with an opening date but the new unit should hopefully be open sooner rather than later.
The duo, who previously worked at fellow NQ favourite Another Heart to Feed, came up with the concept during lockdown and it didn’t take long for the idea to take off, nor for them to earn their spot amongst the very best sandwich places in Manchester.
Seriously, these things were so big and unwieldy (in the best way possible) that they even used to come with eating instructions: both hands and the trademark Tony Soprano hunch recommended, though the slightly stained wife-beater, boxer shorts and open dressing gown look is optional.
From slices of provolone cheese, all the thinly sliced Italian meats you could think of and the closest thing to actual ‘gabagool‘ as you’ll find in Greater Manchester, the menu was fitting of being served up to the iconic characters that once sat outside Satriale’s and a big approving grin from the man himself.
Simply put, we cannot wait and we will certainly keep you posted when we find out exactly when Bada Bing confirms their official reopening date.
Burger King is giving away free burgers to new drivers today
Emily Sergeant
Burger King will be giving away burgers to drivers who have recently passed their tests for free of charge today.
In case it wasn’t on your radar, tomorrow (Thursday 24 July) is actually National Drive-Thru Day, and in a bid to properly celebrate this unofficial holiday, Burger King has decided to hand out a bunch of freebies to newbies today.
The fast food chain is asking all new drivers to “buckle up”, head on down to their nearest Burger King drive-thru, and help themselves to a free burger.
All newly-qualified drivers will be able to take their pick from either the Whopper or Chicken Royale without parting ways with a penny, and all they’ll need to do the claim their freebie is simply show off their learner’s ‘L Plates’ to the staff at their local Burger King restaurant.
/ Credit: Burger King UK (via Instagram) | Supplied
Hundreds of Burger King drive-thrus across the UK are taking part in the one-day promotion – including several across in Greater Manchester.
Although it might seem a little too good to be true, there’s a reason Burger King has chosen to dish out the freebies, and that’s because the company says it knows that one of the first activities newly-qualified drivers like do once they’ve passed their test is make a pit stop at a drive-thru with their mates to show off their new wheels and skills.
Sometimes though, navigating a drive-thru for the first time can be tricky, and this leaves new drivers feeling a bit like a rabbit in the headlights.
Luckily with this one-day Burger King offer, new drivers’ first drive-thru trip couldn’t be any easier.
The offer is available nationwide today (Wednesday 24 July) at Burger King drive-thru lanes only, while stock lasts, and newly qualified drivers must verbally mention “BK Plates” at the drive-thru lane to unlock their free burger.