‘This decision has not been easy’
A popular pub and its Premier Inn hotel next door are closing down this week(Image: The George & Dragon/Whitbread/Premier Inn)
A Greater Manchester pub and hotel situated next to a popular beauty spot and steeped in history will be closing its doors this week.
With roots dating back to the 18th century where it first served as a staging post for travellers to rest, The George & Dragon has been a regular fixture in Altrincham. Situated on Manchester Road, the pub sits alongside a 43-bed hotel operated by Premier Inn.
Located not far from the town centre, the pub and hotel is also near Dunham Massey and the 192.7-acre Dunham Park, which dates back to the 17th century and is home to an abundance of deer and wildlife.
But the pub, which is operated by Whitbread as a Table Table venue, is reported to be closing its doors on Wednesday (October 15), with the Premier Inn hotel set to close on the same day. It is no longer accepting bookings after Wednesday.
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The pub’s owners said the decision to close ‘has not been easy'(Image: The George & Dragon/Whitbread/Premier Inn)
A reason has not been officially given, but the two connected buildings have previously been put up for sale. Last year, Gerald Eve LLP advertised the site as a freehold development opportunity.
At the time, the property agents described the buildings, which are situated on a 0.68 acre site, as being ‘extremely well located’ and ‘positioned within a desirable residential area’.
A brochure for the sale listing did highlight how the George & Dragon pub played a ‘significant contribution to the area in terms of character and the historic environment’, but there was no specific land use allocated for any possible redevelopment.
News of the closure this week was first reported by local blog and social media page Altrincham HQ, which described the pub as a ‘fixture in the entrance to the town for a long time’. Altrincham Today also recently reported that hotel guests had received emails confirming that the property was closing, with future bookings being transferred to alternative hotels nearby.
The Premier Inn hotel will also be closing this week(Image: The George & Dragon/Whitbread/Premier Inn)
A sign posted on the door of the pub confirmed the site’s closure and mentioned how table service had recently been stopped due to staff shortages.
“This decision has not been easy and we are sorry for any inconvenience,” it said.
“All staff and management at The George & Dragon would like to thank everyone for their continued support over the years.”
Sharing their sadness at the news, one regular wrote: “Used to have our Xmas family meals in there and tbh was looking to do the same this Xmas. Okay not fine dining but the staff were always great and another pub lost and probably not the last.”
One other person wrote: “Another one gone, used to deliver beer to that other pub, for Wilsons brewery, in the 80/90s.” One posted: “We are losing so many pubs. What a shame part of [our] history disappearing.”
The George & Dragon pub is situated in a building dating back to the 18th century where it first served as a staging post(Image: The George & Dragon/Whitbread/Premier Inn)
Another commented: “So very sad. Breakfast in there with my children (all are adults now) used to be our Sunday morning treat. Over the past couple of years, Altrincham has suffered many closures of pubs. None more so than those in buildings that have been there for centuries. Whilst it’s great to see new businesses come to Altrincham with award winning food and drink, it seems to strip another long established pub.”
One last person wrote: “Many a Friday/ Saturday night here in the late 80’s/90’s. Very sad to see it go.”
Whitbread and Premier Inn have both been reached for comment by the M.E.N.
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