It’s going to become a ‘much-needed space’
The Waggon and Horses pub in Cheadle closed earlier this year(Image: Greene King)
A once-popular pub and children’s play centre near Greater Manchester has been acquired by new owners who have ambitious plans to transform the site into a focal point for the local community.
The Waggon and Horses pub, on Wilmslow Road in Handforth, closed its doors earlier this year. The site’s history is vast – having first served as a farmhouse pub in 1750 when it accommodated the frequent travellers on the turnpike road.
In 1935, the original farmhouse building, now located on the south side of the Stockport boundary, was demolished and replaced with a new and improved roadhouse-style design that formed the basis for the remaining structure of the building today.
The large pub, which was operated by Greene King for a number of years, also has a kid’s play centre, formerly a Wacky Warehouse, which is separated by a bowling green. The pub was closed in August, with rumours in recent months that a supermarket or housing could replace it.
The site has hosted a pub for the last 275 years – but it will soon become a new community-led space(Image: Greene King)
It has now been confirmed that the pub building has been acquired by the Cheadle Muslim Association (CMA), who are the governing body of the Masijid in Cheadle. The group said the site will be transformed into a new multi-purpose community hub after the public house was deemed to be ‘no longer commercially viable’.
The site will be renamed as Stanley House, recognising Lord Stanley and its roots, being situated at the junction of Stanley Road and Wilmslow Road. The 3rd Baron Stanley of Alderley was recognised as the country’s first Muslim member of the House of Lords, having converted to Islam. He ran in office from 1869 until his death in 1903. During his run, he was known for ordering the closure of all public houses on his estate in Nether Alderley, which is situated south of Alderley Edge.
Plans for the centre have suggested it will be intended to serve residents ‘of all backgrounds and faiths’, and will host space to hold local activities and events based on social connection, youth engagement and community gatherings. It also aims to feature a community café, which will create local jobs for the area, as well as sports facilities to host youth programmes, well-being and social activities.
The pub building features an outdoor area, with a bowling green and a separate play centre(Image: Greene King)
It will also serve as a wedding venue and also be able to host other community cohesion events, as well as rooms for community groups and clubs to use. The car parking spaces on the site are hoped to also ‘help alleviate parking pressure’ during busy periods at the nearby Masjid.
The CMA said it is ‘committed to working closely with councillors and residents to develop solutions that benefit both worshippers and neighbours’. The group added that details regarding engagement opportunities and design consultations with stakeholders will be announced over the coming months.
Dr Usman Choudry, of Cheadle Masjid, said: “Stanley House is an opportunity to provide a much-needed community space to the area; rather than a commercial venture it will be an asset that everyone will be able to benefit from. It’s a project built on partnership and addressing the needs of the community. We want to build something our local community is proud of.”