BOARDED-UP STOCKPORT PUB TO GET MAJOR LIFELINE
When The Golden Hind in Stockport was first boarded up three years ago, locals feared the popular drinking spot in Offerton may never reopen again as a pub.
In November 2023, it was announced that the Lisburne Lane pub would be closing its doors for good despite pleas from members of the community that it was an ‘integral’ part of the area. At the time, people said the venue was ‘not just a pub, it’s our community hub’.
First opened in 1967, the pub had been recognised by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) as having a ‘large open plan corner dining pub popular with families during the day, and those eating to a budget’. It garnered a reputation for its live sports screenings, as well as its regular live music. It even made headlines in 2013 after it was ordered to remove a roof display of Elvis sitting in a car.
Last refurbished in 2017, the pub has remained closed since 2023. In the meantime, campaigns and petitions set up by residents and backed by councillors in the area have taken place to try and assure its future as a pub.
This week, Joseph Holt are delighted to announce the brewery will be taking on the site with a major £1m investment set to be made on refurbishing the property. Richard Kershaw, CEO of Joseph Holt, said today: “Joseph Holt is a brewery committed to putting pubs back into the heart of local communities, so we were thrilled to have the opportunity to acquire the former Golden Hind.
“We are now investing over £1 million in a comprehensive and carefully considered redevelopment, creating a pub in the truest traditional sense — complete with open fireplaces, generous outdoor spaces, and comfortable, characterful furnishings.
“At a time when, sadly, two pubs a day are closing, Joseph Holt, which owns 127 pubs across Manchester and the North West, is bucking this trend. We firmly believe in the vital role pubs play within their communities – not just as places to enjoy a drink, but as welcoming spaces to meet others, take part in social groups, and enjoy live events. All of this, and more, will be at the heart of the new Golden Hind.
“Our investment will also bring real benefits to the local area, creating jobs and new opportunities, while giving the wider community a meaningful boost. We’re looking forward to getting started on this exciting new chapter for both the pub and the area.”
The news has already gone down well with members of the Stockport branch of CAMRA, which represents beer drinkers and pub-goers in the UK and champions local venues.
John Clarke, the Chairman of the Stockport & South Manchester CAMRA branch, said: “It’s great news that The Golden Hind will be reopening under the stewardship of Joseph Holt’s Brewery. Having a local owner rather than a national brand will ensure this pub regains its rightful place as an excellent community asset.
“Too many pubs are closing their doors forever nowadays, so this is fantastic news for the local area. I look forward to being able to sample some of their excellent ales when it reopens.”
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