Brookdale, Coronation Road

Brookdale, Coronation Road, Failsworth, 1995. (c) Rob Magee [1].

The Brookdale was an estate pub on the corner of Coronation Road and Somerset Road on the Propps Hall Estate in Failsworth. Pictured above in 1995, it had been established 30 years earlier.

Brookdale, Coronation Road. (c) Pugh Auctions.

Wilsons Brewery were granted permission to build the Brookdale in 1965 and it was opened a year later by none other than Man United's Bobby Charlton [1], of course that year a World Cup winner.

Brookdale, Coronation Road. (c) Pugh Auctions.

By the 1990s the pub was owned by Grand Metropolitan but it looks like the Brookdale only lasted until the mid-2000s, as it was closed and up for sale in 2010.

Brookdale, Coronation Road, 2014. (c) Google 2015. View Larger Map.

1. Failsworth Pubs 1731-1995 and their licensees, Rob Magee (1995).

Ardwick Empire, Coverdale Crescent

Ardwick Empire, Coverdale Crescent, Ardwick. (c) Old Maps [1].

The Ardwick Empire was an estate pub on Fort Ardwick, those monstrous brown flats at the bottom of Hyde Road, which were pulled down in the late 1980s. The Ardwick Empire stood on Coverdale Crescent, next to the Coverdale Christian Church (an "estate church"), and must have been viewable from Hyde Road, though I don't remember it.

Ardwick Empire, Coverdale Crescent. (c) Old Maps [1].

Unlike its neighbouring estate pub, the Grey Mare, the Ardwick Empire wasn't well-photographed, and the usual places where archival photos are stored or shared have returned blanks. Does anyone remember the Ardwick Empire, and even better, does anyone have a photo of this lost boozer?


Former location of Ardwick Empire, Coverdale Crescent. (c) Google 2015. View Larger Map.

1. www.old-maps.co.uk.

Furness Abbey / Havelock Arms, Downing Street

Furness Abbey / Havelock Arms. (c) Manchester Local Image collection. Click here for full image [1].

The Furness Abbey stood for just over a hundred years at No.50 Downing Street on the Ardwick - Chorlton-on-Medlock border. Previously the Havelock Arms with an Ardwick Street address, the Furness Abbey was a Yates Castle Ardwick Brewery house [2]. Up the steep, difficult-looking steps and above the door, you can see licensee Nellie Davis, licensed to sell beer and porter [1]. The Furness Abbey was over the road from the Blacksmiths Arms.

1. http://images.manchester.gov.uk.

2. http://pubshistory.com/Lancashire/ManchesterF/FurnessAbbey.shtml.