Sunday, 21 October 2012

Seymour / Grove, Upper Chorlton Road

Grove, Upper Chorlton Road, Whalley Range. (c) Tim Martin with kind permission.

When the Grove on the corner of Seymour Grove and Upper Chorlton Road was demolished in 2002 it was still widely known as the Seymour. The grand old building is shown at the archives in 1956, side-on in 1959,  from the front showing its huge size in the 1960s, in the '70s, and twice in 1973.  

Seymour, Upper Chorlton Road, Whalley Range, 2002. (c) MEN.

The huge size of the Seymour actually stems from the fact it was originally a private house half the size. When it was turned into a pub it was doubled in size so that it was a mirror image of itself. A fire in the early 2000s led to the pub's closure and demolition, and the land was sold to developers who have replaced it with ugly new flats. 

Seymour, Upper Chorlton Road, Whalley Range, c.1955. (c) Francis Frith.

The Seymour is infamous for being close to where a policeman was killed back in 1876. This plaque on the wall in this 1924 photo marks the spot where local villain, Charles Peace, shot dead a copper, PC Cock, and his grave is sited in Chorlton Green today.

Former location of Seymour / Grove, Upper Chorlton Road, Whalley Range. (c) Adam B. at flickr.

10 comments:

  1. Demolished in 2005 according to the MEN article:

    http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/local-news/grove-demolition-sparks-sorrow-1160223

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  2. Was my local pub in the 70 s.
    Many happy memories especially in the pool bar which was downstairs on the right hand side.R.I.P.seymour hotel.

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  3. We used to go here in the early seventies. Took ages to get served when I was wearing my Afghan coat, especially if it had been raining as the coat smelled of dead sheep. The Seymour always seemed crowded and buzzing.

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    Replies
    1. I remember that smell ... Great pub. Miss it

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  4. This was my local 1977-80. Always buzzing. Lots of craic. A proper pub. Many happy memories of meeting friends there. Rode my motorcycle up one set of steps and down the other one summer evening. 😎

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  5. My play ground as a kid lived on Egerton rd some moody nights in there in the early 90s

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  6. I worked at the Seymour around 1968-70 it was a wonderful experience. So many different bars, the vault for good rowdy darts nights, the smoke for the chin wags of the locals, lounge bar seemed a mile long when serving the smaller rooms at the end of the lounge. A great team, Pauline Davies, Ted, Val, Pauline's brother and her dad the landlord. Fond memories wish I could remember more names. Alan M now living in Perth Western Australia.

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    Replies
    1. I'm trying to remember my friend Anthony Fashanello from a Chorlton School back in 1970,I think his Dad might have owned it at some time,as I remember going there for tea and his birthday party. 🤔

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  7. magnificent days

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  8. Played soccer in the parking lot many times as a kid in the early ‘50s. Always got chased off. My mates were Graham and Colin Porter, John Gill and others. Sorry to see such an impressive building has been razed.
    John D. B. Grimshaw,
    Southern California

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