A historic Greater Manchester pub has been recognised with CAMRA’s Historic England Conservation Award, having been lovingly restored to its former glory.
The Swan & Railway pub in Wigan was damningly branded as the “worst pub in Wigan” by a punter on TripAdvisor back in 2016 but now, following some extensive repairs by its new landlord, the drinking hole has been given a prestigious award acknowledging its historic importance.
Landlord John Brearley has invested significantly in the property – and now he has been awarded a prestigious award in recognition of the work he has done to improve the historic pub and honour its period features – which range from stunning hand-painted stained glass windows to original Victorian tiling.
The historic pub dates all the way back to 1898 / Image: The Swan & Railway
Dating back to 1898, the Swan & Railway suffered a serious fire in 1982 but still retains its late-Victorian footprint today. Grade-II listed in 1995, it was closed for a number of years before being taken on by its current landlord in 2018 and extensively refurbished.
Now, it seems that work has paid off handsomely with CAMRA choosing to honour both pub and landlord in one fell swoop at the belated 2021 pub design awards.
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Situated opposite Wigan North Western rail station, the Swan & Railway has now had a new roof fitted and been made waterproof but it still retains its impressive original features – which include foliated glazed wall tiles, a mosaic floor that spells out the name “Swan & Railway Hotel”, panelled and stained glass screens and an original settle.
It has some absolutely stunning original period features inside / Image: The Swan & Railway
It has also now got some brand new bathrooms, as well as a few new additions to its interior including an impressive new marble top bar counter and all-new soft furnishings.
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Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, owner John spoke of his pride at turning the once ‘rather sad’ building into a ‘smart and welcoming place’ for punters to enjoy once again.
“We have sought to turn the Swan back to how it would have ‘come out of the box’ new in its extravagant Victorian heyday, bustling and lively but with corners to relax in and there for everyone to enjoy as a proper pub,” he said.
The food menu includes some brilliant pies from Pieminister / Image: The Swan & Railway
The cosy drinking area next to the bar retains an original settle / Image: The Swan & Railway
“We hope we’ve brought you something special as we’ve sought to turn the pub back to how in would have ‘come out of the box’ new in its extravagant Victorian heyday,” said the pub owners.
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“Bustling and lively but with corners to relax in we hope you enjoy it as a proper pub.”
On the drinks front, you’ll find some top-notch real ales here (it’s a CAMRA-awarded pub now, after all) alongside a carefully chosen wine list and a good selection of spirits.
These can be enjoyed in its stunning tiled drinking corridor, alongside some brilliant Pieminister pies from its food menu (this is Wigan, the home of great pies, after all).
The Swan & Railway pub also has some gorgeous rooms upstairs / Image: The Swan & Railway pub
You’ll also find some cracking scotch eggs and pork pies on the menu here, plus other pub favourites like sausage rolls, pork scratchings, olives, paninis and flatbreads.
Perfect for whiling away a pleasant afternoon or evening, the Swan also has rooms upstairs for those who’d like to indulge and don’t fancy driving home at the end of the night.
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You can find The Swan and Railway pub at 80 Wallgate, Wigan WN1 1BA. To see the full menus and find out more, head over to the pub’s website here.
Claire’s is closing down stores in the UK and Ireland with more than 1,300 jobs set to be lost
Danny Jones
In another hit to domestic shoppers, Claire’s Accessories is closing down en masse across the UK and Ireland after entering into administration once again.
Falling into an unfortunate financial status for the second time in less than a year, Claire’s will be shutting down all of their standalone stores across Britain, along with their IE branches.
A total of 154 stores will soon disappear, with more than a thousand people set to be put out of work.
Once a mainstay of British high streets up and down the country, the accessory shop known for all things jewellery, piercings and more has ceased trading effective immediately.
Announced at the start of the week and the end of the first full month of Q2, it was confirmed that Claire’s closed their final locations on Monday, 27 April.
With administrators, Kroll, appointed to wrap up business proceedings, an estimated 1,300 English, Irish, Scottish and Welsh workers have now lost their jobs.
Founded way back in 1961 over in the United States, Claire’s has operated across the Atlantic for more than three decades.
However, with various other contemporaries and cheaper online options having appeared over the years, they’ve struggled not just to remain profitable but to compete full stop.
They most recently filed for bankruptcy in the US this past August (2025), with their Belgian, Spanish, and Dutch divisions having already called it quits.
Manchester location(s) have changed a lot over time, but now they’re on the way out (Credit: Arndale)
For many, the outcome isn’t all that surprising, but it will nevertheless be a sad loss for many who have seen multiple generations visit these venues over the years.
Manchester Storm announce return to AO Arena after nearly two and a half decades
Danny Jones
In a huge bit of regional sporting news, Manchester Storm have announced they will be coming home to the AO Arena after nearly two and a half decades away from the iconic venue.
Massive news for Manc ice hockey followers and local sports fans in general.
Revealing the long-awaited return after 24 long years away from the place where Manchester’s native hockey team first began its story, the team, AO figures, and even some fans were part of a special announcement event inside the 20,000-seater stadium this week.
Confirming the news on Monday, 27 April, MCR Storm will be back playing at the AO Arena later this year – just in time for the start of the 2026/27 campaign.
— Manchester Storm | #TakeShelter (@Mcr_Storm) April 27, 2026
As detailed in a full press release from the Greater Manchester club, they are seemingly marking a milestone moment in their next chapter by going back to their roots.
It goes on to read: “Founded back in 1995 as a tenant of the then newly-opened Manchester Arena, the original Manchester Storm quickly became one of British ice hockey’s most iconic teams.
“In their inaugural season, the Storm secured the First Division championship before becoming founding members of the Ice Hockey Superleague in 1996.”
Coming somewhat full circle more than a generation later (Storm having made it to the play-off finals of the modern Elite Ice Hockey League era this April for the first time in their history), they have made one-off returns to the storied space in recent times.
However, many supporters have been waiting for a fully fledged return for some time now; equally, others are understandably sad to pay a bittersweet goodbye to the ‘Storm Shelter’ over in Altrincham, with the building having already pulled licensing for next year.
They have been at the Planet Ice rink for over a decade now, and the company itself have even issued a lengthy response following the departure – namely noting the issue of communication, clarity and fair notice. Nevertheless, for the vast majority, this felt like a long-overdue comeback.
With an ex-player turned head coach and all-round club legend, Cam Critchlow, having also signed on for another campaign behind the bench, it’s been a busy week in and around the organisation.
Representing the Manchester Storm ownership group, former coach Ryan Finnerty and partner Emma said in a joint statement: “This is a major milestone for our partnership group and a vision we’ve worked towards for some time.
Returning Manchester Storm to the AO Arena is a proud moment for everyone involved. It’s about giving our fans a premier stage in the heart of the city and delivering an outstanding live experience.
“Together with our leadership team and Canadian partners, our ambition is clear — not just to compete, but to lead in the Elite Ice Hockey League and beyond. This marks the start of an exciting new era for the club. Manchester Storm is coming home.
“Today marks a hugely exciting and significant moment for both the Manchester Storm and the Elite League”. The EIHL themselves have also celebrated the news, adding that they feel it reflects “the scale and ambition of the league”.
Are you happy to see them setting up shop at the AO Arena once again? Better still, do you remember going there to watch games the first time around? Let us know down in the comments.
Georgina Pellant -
23rd August 2021 
