The Church was a popular pre-gig boozer for patrons of the Apollo and is in one of the most picturesque locations in Manchester on Ardwick Green North (formerly a private park for the wealthy residents of Ardwick Green). Sadly, like its neighbour tucked around the corner, the Park Inn up Cotter Street, the Church closed its doors in the last few years and has been up for sale.
A clue to the pub's original use came last year then the "St Thomas Rectory" was up on offer for £180,000 - the huge church next door towers over the pub. It had a spell as a Chef & Brewer pub and towards the end of its days, there was no real ale on offer in here. Although this sounds like a deliberate running-down for a change of usage with covenant, the sign on the Church Inn reads something like "An Independent Free Ale House".
Last week the pub was boarded up - the sign actually reads "An Enterprise Inn Free House" see my photo of the sign at http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2863562
ReplyDeleteIt's now no more than rubble :-(
ReplyDelete