History of The White Lion Hotel

By Anderton Gables

17 Jul 2019

d3yt5grwwaa8x8w.jpg

In partnership with Laurus HomesStockport CouncilThe Casey Group and Trafford Housing Trust, work has begun on the restoration and renovation of the historic landmark pub The White Lion Hotel in Stockport. The pub which is also an iconic and beloved sight in the town, also happens to be a Grade II listed building.

AG, in the role of Project Manager, are very committed to the delivery of this project and recognise the historic significance of the building to Stockport. Our aim is to bring forward a new chapter in The White Lion’s development, therefore we plan to write a series of blogs charting the progress and examining the history of the building itself.

Originally built in the 15th Century the pub today still looks quintessentially Tudor in its design. Although the original building has been altered and rebuilt over the years, it’s iconic style has always been respected and maintained, even if the original black timber was replaced long ago. In fact, the current White Lion Hotel is the second building of its name to be erected on the site. Upon renovation in 1823 the mock Tudor frontage was recreated from scratch and applied to the building to maintain its look.

From the late 16th Century, the town of Stockport, like many other medieval towns, underwent fundamental changes to the standard of living. Over time this has affected all timber-framed properties within the town. For example; originally the central hall of an average timber-framed home was thatched and designed to allow an open fire to exist within. This meant smoke from the fire could escape the structure by travelling up and out under the roof without suffocating the occupants. A revolution in design saw chimneys becoming more popular, eventually replacing what had come before. Buildings also started being upgraded to incorporate a new upper storey to enable the installation of new windows and more rooms. It can be assumed that it was during this time the original White Lion Hotel gained its first-floor level.

During the 1900’s, the building philosophy was to re-use medieval buildings by combining them with the then fashionable Edwardian Baroque style. James Barritt Broadbent (1864-1917) a famous British architect, was appointed to design the new White Lion Hotel in 1904. This is where the building made its transition from a little two-storey pub to the grand design it is today.

Whilst the new hotel was being constructed the original hotel was retained at the front, enabling business to carry on whilst the old building was gradually demolished. The new White Lion Hotel was built further back as part of Stockport Council’s improvement scheme to allow easier access for traffic around the surrounding streets. In 1905, The new White Lion opened to the public replacing “The Old” with “The New”.

In the early 1960’s the redevelopment of the Merseyway Shopping Centre resulted in the mass demolition of all historic buildings to the rear of the White Lion Hotel. The Merseyway Shopping Centre was opened in 1965 and was built upon concrete stilts above the Mersey River which runs under the entire length of the Shopping Centre, this became one of the first purpose-built shopping precincts in the UK.

The footprint of the White Lion Hotel has remained unaltered since its opening in 1905 and forms part of the Market/Underbank Conservation Area, which lies within the Town Centre of Stockport. It was designated in 1974 and extended in 2005.

Today, building has been vacant since circa 2008 resulting in the deterioration of the buildings fabric and structure, requiring a rigorous approach to understand the building in order to demonstrate the viability for refurbishment and use as residential accommodation.  The design team, led by AG, also consists of architects Bowker Sadler Architecture and structural engineers Renaissance Associates Ltd.

The project now aims to create 11 new homes offering a mixture of 1 and 2 bedroom apartments. There are also plans for the White Lion’s ground floor to re-open as a restaurant, meaning even 600 years later Stockport’s residents will be able to pop in for a drink and a bite to eat.

Check back in with AG’s blog page over the coming weeks for more updates on this project.

Latest news

1

Beever and Struthers advise on £1.5bn funding for 2,000 new social homes a year John Jones

Beever and Struthers advise on £1.5bn funding for 2,000 new social homes a year

03 Jul 2025

2

Airframe Designs aligns with US programme for additive manufacturing growth Additive manufacturing technology unit At Airframe Designs

Airframe Designs aligns with US programme for additive manufacturing growth

03 Jul 2025

3

Panache Cruises on course for further growth with support from Rosebud James Cole

Panache Cruises on course for further growth with support from Rosebud

03 Jul 2025

4

Lancashire emerges as key player in UK's Defence and Tech Sector Mo Isap Chair Of The Lancashire Business Board Nick Miles National Cyber Force Deputy Director For Samlesbury Annette Weekes Representative Of The NWRDSC

Lancashire emerges as key player in UK's Defence and Tech Sector

03 Jul 2025

5

Report shows impact of BAE Systems in Lancashire BAE Systems Radar

Report shows impact of BAE Systems in Lancashire

02 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4
LBV Hub Seminars
04 Jul 2025 - 04 Jul 2025

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

08:30 - 11:00

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase
unnamed (2).jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Jul 2025 - 09 Jul 2025

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase

Crow Wood Hotel, Burnley, BB12 0RT

09:30 - 16:00

Blackburn Cathedral hosts Champagne and Diamonds Event with Ainsworth Jewellers
Champagne-Jewellery 10 07 25_page-0001.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
10 Jul 2025 - 10 Jul 2025

Blackburn Cathedral hosts Champagne and Diamonds Event with Ainsworth Jewellers

Blackburn Cathedral, Blackburn, BB1 5AA

18:00 - 20:30

Choose Chorley for Business - Talent Reimagined Business Breakfast
talentreimaginedbb.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
10 Jul 2025 - 10 Jul 2025

Choose Chorley for Business - Talent Reimagined Business Breakfast

Strawberry Fields Digital Hub, Chorley, PR71PS

08:00 - 10:30

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past
1750160034867.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Jul 2025 - 16 Jul 2025

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:30

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin