The Langworthy was opened in 1900 by Threlfalls Brewery, "the finest house in the district, beautifully decorated" with a billiard room and rare public telephone [1]. In 1985 Whitbread refurbished the Langworthy Hotel and it served the local area until 1993 when it became a hostel for a few years before laying empty ever since.
Langworthy Hotel, Langworthy Road, Salford, 1973. (c) Salford Pubs of the 70s at flickr.
In recent years, various schemes have been advertised for the Langworthy Hotel, not least by the last owners who claimed it could be "an integral part of the new urban village centre's revitalization [2]." How sad that earlier this year, its demolition was considered the best option "to improve the attractiveness of the site to potential investors [2]."
In recent years, various schemes have been advertised for the Langworthy Hotel, not least by the last owners who claimed it could be "an integral part of the new urban village centre's revitalization [2]." How sad that earlier this year, its demolition was considered the best option "to improve the attractiveness of the site to potential investors [2]."
Rather than look to blame an unscrupulous pub company and their ruthless property magnate tactics, locals have been angry at those closer to home. In 2000 Salford City Council bought the pub for more than £400,000, but have allowed it to deteriorate to such an extent that, as of March 2011, it has been approved for demolition (by the same council) [3].
Langworthy, Langworthy Road, Salford. (c) Google 2011. View Larger Map.
A recent article in Manchester Confidential starts out: "As I sit waiting for Hazel Blears MP in her Langworthy office, my view is of a derelict pub, about to be demolished. The Langworthy, as it was, is a huge, imposing building. But in its current state, it acts as a stark reminder of the struggles the pub trade is facing and how its role as community hub is slowly being eroded [4]." Quite.
1. Salford Pubs Part Three: Including Ordsall, Cross Lane, Broad Street, Hanky Park, the Height, Brindleheath, Charlestown and Weaste, Neil Richardson (1997).
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