Hardy's Crown Brewery was in Hulme, just to the south of the city centre. Shown in these three 1964 photos, the brewery may already have ceased production, as the buildings were demolished in 1965 after the brewery was bought up by United Breweries in 1962 [1]. The first photo is described as the Crown Hotel and Brewery, and this 1964 pic shows the public house that was incorporated into the brewery. Renshaw Street and South Street are no longer on any maps so I suspect this area may have been swallowed up by some housing development or other.
The only lost pub we know of as a Hardy's house was the St Andrews Tavern in Norton Street near London Road Station. However, a number of old Hardy's pubs in Greater Manchester still display the signage, the Hope Inn in Stockport still proudly bearing the whole name. Possibly the closest boozer to its old brewery is the Salutation ("the Sally" in Hulme).
Hardy's Well in Rusholme at the end of the "Curry Mile" is actually named after the brewery, though it was Birch Villas in the days when some of us used to sup there pre-match. Over the road is the grim Huntsman with its white stone Hardy's Crown sign.
Heading further south, one of the finer looking pubs in Sale is the Bulls Head with its unmissable Hardy's signage on the A56. The Bulls has reopened recently to much fanfare in the real ale community, though every time we've been in neither the ale or the crowd has been much to write home about, so we stick to the ever reliable Volunteer up the road - amongst the many fine Holts houses in Greater Manchester, we reckon this must be right up there.
Bulls Head, Sale. (c) Breweryhistory.com.
Finally, The Stonemasons, further south still in Timperley was actually rebuilt in 1926 but you wouldn't know it looking at the old pub, as shown here from the Trafford Archives - the licensing magistrate demanded that the new pub retain the features of the one they knocked down - including the Hardy's masonry.
The Hope on Wellington Road North in Stockport also has Hardy's distinctive roof signage.
ReplyDeleteDidn't Hardy's have a hotel, in Salford known as The Spotted Dog?
ReplyDeleteYes, my Grandfather was born there on March 5, 1858!
DeleteI am looking into my family history at the moment and my Nana's grandfather Walter Wilde managed a Hardy's Crown Brewery Renshaw Street, off Stretford Raod Hulme Manchester, and when he died it was managed by her uncle Fred.
ReplyDeleteWe lived in The Wheatsheaf in Linby Street (late Lloyd st) Hume which was a Hardys pub but cannot find any mention of it!
ReplyDeleteClaire. My great grandfather Walter Wilde was the Brewer for Hardy's at Renshaw Street Brewery from late 1800 to abt 1920 when Brewers needed to be licensed. His son Fred became Licensee until his death in 1939. Walter's family were born and raised at the Hardy's property on Renshaw St. My grandmother was his daughter Florence.
ReplyDeleteJackie,
DeleteWalter Wilde is my 3rd great grandfather. I was researching him and I found this post. I would love to know more about his life. Please email me
i managed the queens arms a hardys pub on moss lane west between hydes brewery and brooks bar
ReplyDeleteMy mum who lived on Freeman Street was 'adopted' by Frederick Wilde and his wife, who she used to call Aunty Wilde and Mr Wilde. They had no children but they had a dog who used to guard her if she fell asleep he was a wire haired terrier. Aunty Wilde had a sister called Emily. Mr Wilde gave my grandad a job when he was out of work during the depression. My mum and I used to visit Aunty Wilde when she moved to Cheadle following the death of Mr Wilde.
ReplyDeleteYES! and they were my Gt Aunt Annie & Gt Uncle Fred. Happy visits to them when I was....visiting Aunti Katie who lived in Timperley....
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