Waggon & Horses, Cross Street, Sale. (c) Pub Curmudgeon at Closed Pubs.
This is a first for us, a guest closed pub. The Waggon & Horses is a forlorn looking derelict pub on Cross Street, Sale, the A56 from Altricham to Manchester. It is only a few yards up the road from our favourite, the Volunteer. Thanks to a recent visit from the intrepid explorer, x1franpl* at the marvellous 28dayslater*, we can see the inside of this sorry old boozer.
Waggon & Horses, Sale, 2010. (c) x1franpl at 28dayslater.
Anyone fancy a game of pool?
Waggon & Horses, Sale, 2010. (c) x1franpl at 28dayslater.
The walls are adorned in these weird and wonderful chalk drawings; this one celebrates a couple of back-in-the-day ales, Websters and Theakstons:
Waggon & Horses, Sale, 2010. (c) x1franpl at 28dayslater.
On the same thread on 28dayslater, Lurkenator* supplies us with some brilliant old photos of the Waggon & Horses in happier times. Firstly, over a century ago showing the Chester Road in all its Victorian splendour (in contrast to the disgraceful eyesore that the run down shops and tattoo parlours of Cross Street offer today).
The Waggon & Horses was a Wilsons house in the 1970s:
Waggon & Horses, Sale, 1977. (c) Lurkenator at 28dayslater.
Here's the landlord Stan pulling a pint of Wilsons:
Stan in the Waggon & Horses, Sale, 1977. (c) Lurkenator at 28dayslater.
By 1982 the Waggon & Horses was a freehouse, "Purveyors of fine Cask Conditioned Beer" as the sign proudly states:
Waggon & Horses, Sale, 1982. (c) Lurkenator at 28dayslater.
Having been been shut now for about a decade, the pub has been allowed to rot and is now clearly ruined beyond repair. Shame on its owners for letting it deteriorate like this, but someone really needs to put it out of its misery. RIP the Waggon & Horses.
* If there is an issue with the images being hosted here, please comment or drop us a line!
Excellent to be able to get inside and come across a time capsule. Baffling how this one has remained derelict for so long - surely being on the main drag it has value as a development site.
ReplyDeleteStill going strong when I lived in Sale. This is really one that fell between the cracks as, by all rights, it should be still trading.
ReplyDeleteNever had the pleasure myself, but our estimates range from '97 to about 2002 for the year it finally closed its doors.
ReplyDeletewhat a shame to see my old local in such a mess.great pub in its day, its what you would call a proper boozer.mid week quiz nights,fri sat dj and of course sunday all in the back room for a game off killer....such a shame a great pub has been left for ruin.
ReplyDeleteAs mentioned in the post, I provided the old pics of this pub on 28dl. I spent a lot of my childhood in this fantastic pub. My family were close friends with the then landlord and his wife. It breaks my heart to see it in this state today. It seems unlikely that the Waggon and Horses will ever be restored and reopened. I have such fond memories of this place. I suppose that this is the fate on many pubs these days. It's such a shame that such a historic building it left to rot like this. If I had the money, I would restore it myself!
ReplyDeleteI have some more recent pictures if you are interested!
DeleteYes please! If you'd send to dan@thedistractions.co.uk we'd be only too happy to post them on an updated entry for this neglected boozer
DeleteDrove past it less than an hour ago, and as always, had a quick think back to these photos and comments. What a waste...
ReplyDeleteI was the last landlord of the Waggon And Horses, Sale.Had to close January 6th 2003 as the brewery sold to developers. Had some great times there.
ReplyDeleteMy old local back in the day..really sad every time I walk past. I remember Stan and then Arthur and Sandra took it over when he retired :(
ReplyDeleteAnyone know the full postal address including postcode of this pub?
ReplyDelete37 Cross St, M33 7JN
ReplyDeleteBarry (ex-Landlord) if you're still in Trafford could you get in touch with me? richard.bond@operamail.com
ReplyDeleteI am a friend of Barry's, usually see him most weeks.
DeleteIf he hasn't contacted you he may not have seen this post.
I could bring it to his attention if you would like me to !!
one of best PUBS in SALE
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately this pub has now been put out of its misery, with the shops next to it also getting pulled down.
ReplyDeleteThis was my Gran and Grandads first pub. Harold & Evelyn Taylor.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone remember Walter and Charlene that used to run this pub in the 80's?
ReplyDeleteYes I do, they were my boyfriens parents (Darren)
ReplyDeleteBeen in a few times my friends parents ran the off license on the corner of Mersey Rd 60s and 70s. Always a good pint.
ReplyDelete