The still standing Bell Tower was built as the Angel Hotel in 1901, replacing the old Angel which had stood here, the last on Chapel Street on an area which has been known as Broken Bank, White Cross Bank and Bank Parade. The pub dates back to 1760 and in 1801 it was taken over by Richard Kay who moved there from the Castle Inn, Hunts Bank. In 1889 local brewers Watson & Woodhead took the pub before it was decided, in 1898, to build a new, improved Angel. The old pub, a five-roomed boozer, was replaced by a three-room plus dining room hotel. Walker & Homfray took over in 1902 then Wilsons in the 1950s before closing as a pub in the late 1970s or early '80s [1]. By this time the pub had become atmosphere and character-free according to the 1975 Pub Guide; only push button Wilsons and Watneys Red Barrell available [2]. Regal Knight Hotels converted the Angel Hotel into the Bell Tower Hotel in 1987, with its traditional Lowry's Bar and an attached wine bar called Finney's. The hotel closed for good in 1998 [1].
1. Salford Pubs - Part One: the Old Town, including Chapel Street, Greengate and the Adelphi, Neil Richardson (2003).
2. The Manchester Pub Guide, Manchester & Salford City Centres (1975).
I lived here from 1976-1981, I remember great nights listening to glam rock and disco with staff from Salford Royal, my parents were managers for Wilson's and I was actually born in the Gardeners Arms in Pendleton, my parents were Gordon Watson (past away 1995) and Margaret Watson
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed a few pints of Wilsons bitter with a couple of student friends from 1969 to 1977. Not exactly regulars but went sufficiently often that pints were pulled by the time we got to the bar. Sad to learn of its demise
ReplyDeleteMe and my old pal were the resident DJs at the angel in the early 80s. After its refit turning it into the bell tower I returned to be the Dj in the basement club Finney’s. This would have been around the time Alexander O’Neil had the hearsay album out. It was such a great little club, with lots of regular customers. If you went into Finneys and would like to say hello, I currently run the back2the80s festival in Buile Hill Park and still keep my hand in at the lord nelson on Stretford Road Urmston every Saturday night.
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