Pubs of Manchester

All pubs within the city centre and beyond.
A history of Manchester's hundreds of lost pubs.

Wednesday 20 April 2011

Black Horse, Crescent

Black Horse Hotel, Crescent, 2008. (c) Andrew Greco.

The western end of Chapel Street where it meets the Crescent today has been known as White Cross Bank, and a little further along the Crescent above the loop in the River Irwell, it was known as Broken Bank.  A few doors down from fine Crescent pub, the Black Horse alehouse can be traced back to 1739 (even older than the Crown & Cushion) when George Metcalf was there.  Under Christopher, Deborah and Ellen Metcalf the pub was also known as the Tom Tinker, Grey Horse and Horse & Jockey (bit of an equine theme due to the Manchester Racecourse that used to be opposite).



Black Horse Hotel, Crescent, 2011. (c) garstonian at flickr.


In 1875 the pub was rebuilt, set back from the road slightly was described as "a modern erection of imposing apperance", with vault, bar, parlour, two refreshment rooms, billiards room and drawing room.   In 1888 under Thomas Moore - formerly of the Boat House in Northenden - advertised a concert room there.  The nearby Groves & Whitnall bought the pub in 1898, then Greenall Whitley took over in 1961 until 1997 when a pub company took over [1].  The pub closed at some point in the '00s when it was a student haunt.  When we passed it last year it looked doomed, but the shot above from March 2011 suggests otherwise as efforts are made to preserve it, as a listed building...

1. Salford Pubs - Part Two: Including Islington, Orsdall Lane and Ordsall, Oldfield Road, Regent Road and Broughton.  Neil Richardson (2003).

3 comments:

  1. Re: Black Horse - Crescent. According to the builders doing the work, the property is a listed building and is getting roof repairs to protect it. There are no plans to renovate the whole place.

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  2. I liked the place, 86-89... Working behind the bar of The Crescent, virtually next door, I could retreat to the Black Horse on a night off and know that I was unlikely to see any of my own regulars, who weren't keen on Greenall's beer. Anyone remember me?

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  3. William and Alice Cronshaw were my Great, Great, Great grandparents who had the inn in the 18oo's, but can't place a definate date. If anyone has any info please contact me on tina_aedwards@yahoo.co.uk Thankyou

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